A Chinese man was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport while allegedly trying to leave the country with R1.5m worth of rhino horns, the Hawks said on Friday.
He allegedly had 10 rhino horns, 84 ornaments and 41 bangles made from rhino horns in his possession when he was caught on Thursday, spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda said.
"The suspect, aged 48 years, was about to board a flight to Hong Kong when he was nabbed. The suspect claimed to have acquired the rhino horns from Maputo, Mozambique."
He would appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of trafficking in rhino horns.
On the same day, a Tanzanian national was arrested with 10kg of ephedrine, valued at approximately R700 000.
The 46-year-old man had arrived on a flight from Abu Dhabi. Two packets of the drug were found when his bag was searched.
He would appear in the same court on Monday on drug dealing charges.
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Preventing Illegal Ivory Trade
East African region has become a popular transit route for illegal ivory traders. A number of people have been apprehended over involvement in illicit ivory trade within the region.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) is holding 10 people including four Guinea-Conakry nationals, over trying to traffic 80 kilogrammes of elephant tusks through the country while in neighbouring Uganda, 740kgs of Ivory were impounded by Uganda Aviation Police at Entebbe Airport, last year. In April this year, Kenya burnt 105 tones of ivory confiscated from illegal smugglers.
These are among the many examples that show the worrying magnitude of illegal ivory trade in the region, and the threat it poses to the region's wildlife.
Illegal ivory trade has led to increase in poaching for elephant tusks, forcing conservationists to call for more efforts to save the elephant. With the East African region being home to endangered wildlife including elephants, urgent measures should be taken to address the problem.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has raised a red flag over the issue in a yet to be released report by the standing Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Wildlife. The report shows a disturbing wave of ivory smuggling in the East African region.
This calls for more regional efforts to curtail the crime, despite some progress following the first-ever regional anti-illicit trade conference held in 2010.
But more importantly, it also calls for a global partnership to involve the destination countries for the smuggled ivory. Reports indicate that three-quarters of illegal ivory makes its way to China. Deliberate global efforts can go a long way in stopping the illegal trade in ivory.
An intensified global crackdown on criminal gangs that reportedly conspire with corrupt regional bureaucrats to traffic vast quantities of ivory will deliver victory against this crime.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) is holding 10 people including four Guinea-Conakry nationals, over trying to traffic 80 kilogrammes of elephant tusks through the country while in neighbouring Uganda, 740kgs of Ivory were impounded by Uganda Aviation Police at Entebbe Airport, last year. In April this year, Kenya burnt 105 tones of ivory confiscated from illegal smugglers.
These are among the many examples that show the worrying magnitude of illegal ivory trade in the region, and the threat it poses to the region's wildlife.
Illegal ivory trade has led to increase in poaching for elephant tusks, forcing conservationists to call for more efforts to save the elephant. With the East African region being home to endangered wildlife including elephants, urgent measures should be taken to address the problem.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has raised a red flag over the issue in a yet to be released report by the standing Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Wildlife. The report shows a disturbing wave of ivory smuggling in the East African region.
This calls for more regional efforts to curtail the crime, despite some progress following the first-ever regional anti-illicit trade conference held in 2010.
But more importantly, it also calls for a global partnership to involve the destination countries for the smuggled ivory. Reports indicate that three-quarters of illegal ivory makes its way to China. Deliberate global efforts can go a long way in stopping the illegal trade in ivory.
An intensified global crackdown on criminal gangs that reportedly conspire with corrupt regional bureaucrats to traffic vast quantities of ivory will deliver victory against this crime.
East African Legislative Assembly Calls For Stronger Wildlife Laws Against Poaching
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is calling on East African Community Partner States to enact new wildlife legislation with enhanced penalties and improve strategies and protection measures in a bid to save the region's wildlife.
Findings by EALA's committee on agriculture, tourism and natural resources indicate that elephants and rhinoceros are the animals most vulnerable to poaching but other species including leopards, pythons, marine turtles and others are also endangered.
The committee's oversight activity report says that contributing factors include persistent weaknesses in the legislation governing wildlife crime, along with poor administration and low levels of compliance.
"The Committee recommends the EAC Secretariat to expedite the ongoing anti-poaching strategy to combat poaching, illegal trade and trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products to foster regional coordination," said committee chairperson MP Christophe Bazivamo (Rwanda).
"We recommend the EAC Secretariat to develop common strategies, standards, and guidelines for conservation of shared natural resources. The Committee also urges East African elephant range countries, and those through which ivory transits, to create national anti-poaching multi-agency security task force."
The report was presented Tuesday as the Assembly begun its ordinary sitting in Arusha, Tanzania.
Other measures called for include forming specialised units to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, and increasing international cooperation.
Wildlife crime is one of the most lucrative forms of illegal activities worldwide and it hurts people, communities and economies.
Besides urging EAC Partner States to reinvest part of the revenue collected from wildlife tourism into the communities living around national parks to promote conservation, Bazivamo also highlighted home the importance of regional governments "addressing issues of militias, corruption and governance in general."
Kenya reportedly continues to be a transit route for ivory in Africa, majorly through its port of Mombasa, which "accounted for the largest volumes of ivory seizures in Africa," with over 10 tonnes of illegal ivory intercepted between January and October 2013.
Bazivamo noted that, in the region, some of the statutes and associated regulations relevant to wildlife management have not been revised to deal with modern wildlife threats.
Even where modern statutes exist, he said, there are often shortfalls in their administration and enforcement.
Article 116 of the EAC Treaty stipulates that Partner States undertake to develop a collective and coordinated policy for conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and other tourist sites in the six-nation bloc.
It calls on Partner States to, among others, harmonise policies for conservation of wildlife within and outside protected areas, and co-ordinate efforts in controlling and monitoring encroachment and poaching.
"Poaching activities have evolved from individual poachers or ad hoc gangs to increasing recurrences of attacks by well-resourced and organised groups, including transnational criminal networks, Bazivamo said."
Poaching, Bazivamo said, is organised by rich people using poor people.
He pointed to the case, in January, when elephant poachers in Tanzania shot dead British helicopter pilot, Roger Gower, 37, who was fighting poaching in Serengeti National Park.
Lawmakers concluded that commercial poaching is done by rich people who own guns, vehicles and can corrupt rangers.
One of the areas scrutinised was Serengeti National Park, the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, and Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park which is a world heritage site.
The lawmakers observed that illegal wildlife trade robs the EAC and East Africans of natural capital and cultural heritage, with serious economic and social consequences.
Besides the lack of harmonised laws, regulations and guidelines on wildlife conservation, rising demand and prices for wildlife trophies in the illicit markets is another burden.
EALA's Kenyan MP Abubakar Ogle, in August 2013, initiated a Resolution: "Escalating problem on Poaching and Illegal Wildlife trafficking in EAC."
During debate on the report, Ogle pointed to China as having "the biggest magnitude" links to poaching and illegal ivory trade to the region.
Asian criminal gangs conspire with corrupt regional officials to traffic vast quantities of ivory and, the trading is reportedly so pervasive it even involves high-level diplomatic visits.
MP Martin Ngoga (EALA-Rwanda) said he was surprised last week on reading reports that Police in Kigali were holding 10 people, including foreigners, arrested while attempting to traffic elephant tusks through Rwanda.
"This is something surprising, in the Rwandan jurisdiction," Ngoga said.
He also said that sentences handed to criminals are not deterrent enough. In March, Rwandan courts sentenced three Guineans and a Rwandan to six years in jail after they pleaded guilty to trafficking about 88kgs of ivory.
To adequately confront such crimes, Ngoga suggested, the punishment should be much higher to deter criminals.
Rwanda's Penal Code (Article 417) stipulates that anyone who poaches, sells, injures or kills a gorilla or any other protected endangered animal species is liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five years to 10 years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf 5,000,000.
The former Rwandan prosecutor general also suggested that more attention and funds be put in regional capacity building efforts.
"What's the formula in terms of capacity building for conservation management? How much percentage of tourism revenues is spent to improve capacity in those areas?" Ngoga posed, underlining the importance of political will in curbing poaching.
Findings by EALA's committee on agriculture, tourism and natural resources indicate that elephants and rhinoceros are the animals most vulnerable to poaching but other species including leopards, pythons, marine turtles and others are also endangered.
The committee's oversight activity report says that contributing factors include persistent weaknesses in the legislation governing wildlife crime, along with poor administration and low levels of compliance.
"The Committee recommends the EAC Secretariat to expedite the ongoing anti-poaching strategy to combat poaching, illegal trade and trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products to foster regional coordination," said committee chairperson MP Christophe Bazivamo (Rwanda).
"We recommend the EAC Secretariat to develop common strategies, standards, and guidelines for conservation of shared natural resources. The Committee also urges East African elephant range countries, and those through which ivory transits, to create national anti-poaching multi-agency security task force."
The report was presented Tuesday as the Assembly begun its ordinary sitting in Arusha, Tanzania.
Other measures called for include forming specialised units to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, and increasing international cooperation.
Wildlife crime is one of the most lucrative forms of illegal activities worldwide and it hurts people, communities and economies.
Besides urging EAC Partner States to reinvest part of the revenue collected from wildlife tourism into the communities living around national parks to promote conservation, Bazivamo also highlighted home the importance of regional governments "addressing issues of militias, corruption and governance in general."
Kenya reportedly continues to be a transit route for ivory in Africa, majorly through its port of Mombasa, which "accounted for the largest volumes of ivory seizures in Africa," with over 10 tonnes of illegal ivory intercepted between January and October 2013.
Bazivamo noted that, in the region, some of the statutes and associated regulations relevant to wildlife management have not been revised to deal with modern wildlife threats.
Even where modern statutes exist, he said, there are often shortfalls in their administration and enforcement.
Article 116 of the EAC Treaty stipulates that Partner States undertake to develop a collective and coordinated policy for conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and other tourist sites in the six-nation bloc.
It calls on Partner States to, among others, harmonise policies for conservation of wildlife within and outside protected areas, and co-ordinate efforts in controlling and monitoring encroachment and poaching.
"Poaching activities have evolved from individual poachers or ad hoc gangs to increasing recurrences of attacks by well-resourced and organised groups, including transnational criminal networks, Bazivamo said."
Poaching, Bazivamo said, is organised by rich people using poor people.
He pointed to the case, in January, when elephant poachers in Tanzania shot dead British helicopter pilot, Roger Gower, 37, who was fighting poaching in Serengeti National Park.
Lawmakers concluded that commercial poaching is done by rich people who own guns, vehicles and can corrupt rangers.
One of the areas scrutinised was Serengeti National Park, the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, and Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park which is a world heritage site.
The lawmakers observed that illegal wildlife trade robs the EAC and East Africans of natural capital and cultural heritage, with serious economic and social consequences.
Besides the lack of harmonised laws, regulations and guidelines on wildlife conservation, rising demand and prices for wildlife trophies in the illicit markets is another burden.
EALA's Kenyan MP Abubakar Ogle, in August 2013, initiated a Resolution: "Escalating problem on Poaching and Illegal Wildlife trafficking in EAC."
During debate on the report, Ogle pointed to China as having "the biggest magnitude" links to poaching and illegal ivory trade to the region.
Asian criminal gangs conspire with corrupt regional officials to traffic vast quantities of ivory and, the trading is reportedly so pervasive it even involves high-level diplomatic visits.
MP Martin Ngoga (EALA-Rwanda) said he was surprised last week on reading reports that Police in Kigali were holding 10 people, including foreigners, arrested while attempting to traffic elephant tusks through Rwanda.
"This is something surprising, in the Rwandan jurisdiction," Ngoga said.
He also said that sentences handed to criminals are not deterrent enough. In March, Rwandan courts sentenced three Guineans and a Rwandan to six years in jail after they pleaded guilty to trafficking about 88kgs of ivory.
To adequately confront such crimes, Ngoga suggested, the punishment should be much higher to deter criminals.
Rwanda's Penal Code (Article 417) stipulates that anyone who poaches, sells, injures or kills a gorilla or any other protected endangered animal species is liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five years to 10 years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf 5,000,000.
The former Rwandan prosecutor general also suggested that more attention and funds be put in regional capacity building efforts.
"What's the formula in terms of capacity building for conservation management? How much percentage of tourism revenues is spent to improve capacity in those areas?" Ngoga posed, underlining the importance of political will in curbing poaching.
SOUTH AFRICA: Minister Edna Molewa Happy About Arrest And Seizure Of Rhino Horns
The Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Edna Molewa, has congratulated the Department’s Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions), stationed at O.R Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) working together with Customs, the security company employed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) as well as the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for the arrest of a suspected rhino horn smuggler on the 24th of September 2016.
This significant arrest took place on the eve of the opening of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The suspect was intercepted after attempting to take a transit flight to Hong Kong. Three rhino horns with a total mass of 9.4kg and an estimated value of R12.2 m were seized.
The horns were discovered after the suspect’s luggage was screened by border and customs officials. The 48 year old suspect; a Chinese national was expected to appear in court today.
It was the joint work and effective coordination of all the entities involved that led to the successful detection, seizure and arrest.
The Green Scorpions are stationed at a number of ports of entry and exit to increase capability to detect incidents of smuggling of wild specimens, as part of the Department’s Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach under implementation since 2014.
CITES COP17 has been billed the largest of its kind in the history of the Convention. The illicit trade in rhino horn and rhino horn products is one of the subjects likely to garner significant attention during the conference.
“With South Africa being the home to the world’s largest rhino population, naturally all eyes will be on us at CITES COP17 as we discuss the impact of the transnational illicit trade in wildlife on our rhino population,” says Minister Molewa.
“South Africa is currently experiencing a decrease in the rate of rhino poaching, and at the same time an increase in the number of arrests for poaching related offences. Slowly but surely our Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach is yielding success: we are now getting much better at addressing wildlife crime in a more integrated and coordinated manner,” says Minister Molewa.
In the past week there have been arrests of four Mozambican and two South African suspected rhino poachers in relation to two separate incidents in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Between 1 January and the end of August 2016 a total of 414 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa – of which 177 were in the Kruger National Park and 237 for the rest of the country.
The Integrated Strategic approach involves the Department of Environmental Affairs, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African State Security Agency, Justice and Correctional Services Department, South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Revenue Service (SARS) and provincial conservation agencies.
It has a number of key pillars, namely:
- Compulsory interventions,
- Managing rhino populations,
- Long-term sustainability interventions, and
- New interventions, within the context of regional and international cooperation
This significant arrest took place on the eve of the opening of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The suspect was intercepted after attempting to take a transit flight to Hong Kong. Three rhino horns with a total mass of 9.4kg and an estimated value of R12.2 m were seized.
The horns were discovered after the suspect’s luggage was screened by border and customs officials. The 48 year old suspect; a Chinese national was expected to appear in court today.
It was the joint work and effective coordination of all the entities involved that led to the successful detection, seizure and arrest.
The Green Scorpions are stationed at a number of ports of entry and exit to increase capability to detect incidents of smuggling of wild specimens, as part of the Department’s Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach under implementation since 2014.
CITES COP17 has been billed the largest of its kind in the history of the Convention. The illicit trade in rhino horn and rhino horn products is one of the subjects likely to garner significant attention during the conference.
“With South Africa being the home to the world’s largest rhino population, naturally all eyes will be on us at CITES COP17 as we discuss the impact of the transnational illicit trade in wildlife on our rhino population,” says Minister Molewa.
“South Africa is currently experiencing a decrease in the rate of rhino poaching, and at the same time an increase in the number of arrests for poaching related offences. Slowly but surely our Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach is yielding success: we are now getting much better at addressing wildlife crime in a more integrated and coordinated manner,” says Minister Molewa.
In the past week there have been arrests of four Mozambican and two South African suspected rhino poachers in relation to two separate incidents in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Between 1 January and the end of August 2016 a total of 414 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa – of which 177 were in the Kruger National Park and 237 for the rest of the country.
The Integrated Strategic approach involves the Department of Environmental Affairs, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African State Security Agency, Justice and Correctional Services Department, South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Revenue Service (SARS) and provincial conservation agencies.
It has a number of key pillars, namely:
- Compulsory interventions,
- Managing rhino populations,
- Long-term sustainability interventions, and
- New interventions, within the context of regional and international cooperation
Rhino Poacher A Herbalist, Court Told
A Mpumalanga herbalist who supplied traditional healers may have graduated to dealing in illegal rhino horn, according to court prosecutors.
But the accused's mother and a customer say they know nothing of that.
Simon Ngomane, 34, appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday, September 27. Ngomane was shot in the leg and arrested following a shootout with rangers in the Tikwana area of the Kruger National Park on December 11 2011.Two of his accomplices escaped.
But a traditional healer has told the magistrate that the accused was merely a herbalist who sold traditional herbs.
"I have been buying from him since 2008 until 2011, when he disappeared," said Bernard Mathebula.
The traditional healer said he and his colleagues had been buying herbs from the accused during pension pay-outs every month.
He told the court he would not comment on the rhino horn found in his possession, and that he knew nothing of that.
"I have no other relationship with the accused, except that I was his customer," said Mathebula.
State prosecutor Isabet Erwee said Mathebula was traced by the accused and asked to come to court and testify.
Netta Ndlovu, the accused’s mother said he lived with her at their home in Clara Trust.
"I last saw him in December, prior to his arrest. When he left he said he was going to dig for herbs at Justicia. He carried a pick and a green sack used for chicken feed, which he used to carry the herbs," she said.
The mother said she had not seen him since until two days later, when she received a phone call that he had been arrested.
"I was informed he had been arrested at Tikwana for poaching rhino," his mother said.
Ndlovu said her son had been digging and selling herbs to traditional healers and the community for a long time. She said she would not comment on the charges he faced, because she knew nothing of that.
"Your son ended up in the Kruger Park according to witnesses. He was poaching rhino with two other friends," Erwee told the mother.
Ngomane faced charges of illegal entry into the Kruger Park, hunting of rhino, and theft of rhino horn. He had been remanded in custody and the case was postponed until October 3 for arguments.
But the accused's mother and a customer say they know nothing of that.
Simon Ngomane, 34, appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday, September 27. Ngomane was shot in the leg and arrested following a shootout with rangers in the Tikwana area of the Kruger National Park on December 11 2011.Two of his accomplices escaped.
But a traditional healer has told the magistrate that the accused was merely a herbalist who sold traditional herbs.
"I have been buying from him since 2008 until 2011, when he disappeared," said Bernard Mathebula.
The traditional healer said he and his colleagues had been buying herbs from the accused during pension pay-outs every month.
He told the court he would not comment on the rhino horn found in his possession, and that he knew nothing of that.
"I have no other relationship with the accused, except that I was his customer," said Mathebula.
State prosecutor Isabet Erwee said Mathebula was traced by the accused and asked to come to court and testify.
Netta Ndlovu, the accused’s mother said he lived with her at their home in Clara Trust.
"I last saw him in December, prior to his arrest. When he left he said he was going to dig for herbs at Justicia. He carried a pick and a green sack used for chicken feed, which he used to carry the herbs," she said.
The mother said she had not seen him since until two days later, when she received a phone call that he had been arrested.
"I was informed he had been arrested at Tikwana for poaching rhino," his mother said.
Ndlovu said her son had been digging and selling herbs to traditional healers and the community for a long time. She said she would not comment on the charges he faced, because she knew nothing of that.
"Your son ended up in the Kruger Park according to witnesses. He was poaching rhino with two other friends," Erwee told the mother.
Ngomane faced charges of illegal entry into the Kruger Park, hunting of rhino, and theft of rhino horn. He had been remanded in custody and the case was postponed until October 3 for arguments.
SOUTH AFRICA: Possession of Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition,Suspected Rhino Poacher Arrested
On Thursday, 29 September 2016, Sannieshof Stock theft Unit together with police in Schweizer- Reneke, arrested a 50-year-old suspect, Elias Clifford Mashigo in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke for possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
The suspect who is from Ivory Park in Tembisa, Gauteng Province was arrested after the police acted on a tip-off that he was on his way to Bloemhof. It was during a follow-up that the suspect's vehicle was spotted near a tavern in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke. It was during questioning and search at Schweizer-Reneke police station that a rifle, a silencer, seven ammunition used to kill rhinos and elephants, an axe as well as a foil were found hidden inside the suspect's vehicle. He was then arrested.
Preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect has an outstanding case of bribery and corruption in Honeydew, Gauteng Province. The police cannot rule out a likelihood that the suspect was planning to poach rhinos in the North West.
He appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates Court, today, 30 September 2016 and the accused was remanded in custody until 6 October 2016 for bail application.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the members for their cooperation that culminated in the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect who is from Ivory Park in Tembisa, Gauteng Province was arrested after the police acted on a tip-off that he was on his way to Bloemhof. It was during a follow-up that the suspect's vehicle was spotted near a tavern in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke. It was during questioning and search at Schweizer-Reneke police station that a rifle, a silencer, seven ammunition used to kill rhinos and elephants, an axe as well as a foil were found hidden inside the suspect's vehicle. He was then arrested.
Preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect has an outstanding case of bribery and corruption in Honeydew, Gauteng Province. The police cannot rule out a likelihood that the suspect was planning to poach rhinos in the North West.
He appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates Court, today, 30 September 2016 and the accused was remanded in custody until 6 October 2016 for bail application.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the members for their cooperation that culminated in the arrest of the suspect.
MALAWI: Zambian Wildlife TrafficarsIncluding Army Captain Imprisoned In Malawi
Captain Sandu Kalimbo, 44 from Sanjangu, Mr John Sakala, 30 years old from Kanjala, and Mr Ronald Mawale, 44 year old from Mtete were arrested on 2nd September 2016 in the Malawian border town of Mchinji after being found in possession of three raw elephant tusks and complete leopard and lion skins. The artefacts were reportedly poached from animals from South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.
The case was brought to court on 5th September, where all three men facing charges of illegal possession of specimens of protected species and dealing in government trophies. On 30th September all three men were found guilty by Lilongwe Magistrate Court and sentenced to 40 months in Internment with Hard Labour, no option of a fine.
Saddry Sambo, Assistant Superintendent, National Police HQ Prosecutions Office, said, “This is the first concluded case which falls under a newly funded public-private litigation project for serious wildlife crime cases. We are very encouraged with the result which shows the determination of the government authorities to combat wildlife crime.”
Tommy Mhango, representing Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, praised the government authorities involved, and added, “This is a great example of where new Malawian initiatives to tackle wildlife crime are having an impact. In this case wildlife crime investigators and prosecutors worked hand in hand to put three significant wildlife trafficker behind bars. It is also encouraging to see that magistrates, in this case His Worship, Patrick Chirwa, are taking a strong stance against this serious organised crimes.”
Thwarting Illegal Trafficking In Fish And Wildlife
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently honored Wayne as its 2016 Investigator of the Year.
Wayne is assigned to the agency’s Northeast Region encompassing 12 counties including Putnam and St. Johns. The region runs from St. Johns to Indian River on the east coast and west over to Sumter.
“I love what I do in protecting the wildlife. It’s the only type of law enforcement that I would do because that’s how passionate about it that I am,” Wayne said. The biggest reward, he said, is “just the satisfaction that I’m helping the environment and that I’m helping people be safe.”
The annual award honors a FWC investigator whose efforts demonstrate outstanding performance and achievement among investigators on cases including captive wildlife, overt and covert operations, surveillance and wildlife trafficking.
Wayne worked his way up the ranks after joining the agency in 1991 as a wildlife officer assigned to water patrol on the north end of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. He became a captain but in 2012 took a voluntary demotion to become the agency’s first full-time ports investigator.
Wayne said his uncle inspired his love of the outdoors and shared passion for fishing. As a teenager, Wayne was with his uncle in a boat fishing “out in the middle of nowhere” off the state’s southwest coast when he caught sight of his future career. His uncle said “uh, oh, here comes the man.” He then said “the wildlife officer” when Wayne asked what he meant.
“And he came and checked us out … Then the officer left and my uncle told me ‘that would be a good job for you as much as you like the outdoors.’ He was thinking of a good government job, and that kind of sparked my interest and I looked into it,” said Wayne, adding it quickly became clear the career was right for him.
Wayne said his two biggest 2015 cases are still pending.
One thing that never changes, he said, is the unknown of what he might encounter day-to-day. “It might be a snake. It might be monkeys. It might be lobsters. It could be anything,” he said.
FWC officials credit Wayne with making numerous major cases involving the illegal import/export of fish and wildlife. He has helped guide FWC’s ports inspection program’s success and expansion. That success has spurred the agency to add five port investigator positions statewide, they said.
Maj. Gregg Eason, FWC investigations section leader, said Wayne “has made some incredible cases and has been instrumental in advancing the FWC’s port inspection program.
”This important program is a vital tool to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking – a $20 billion per year industry that undermines legal businesses and jeopardizes public safety. His work has strengthened our ability to successfully combat this activity,” Eason said.
Eason said one of Wayne’s most important cases dealing with the illegal import/export of fish and wildlife was a two-year multi-agency effort to investigate a case that cause more than $1 million in damages.
“Florida’s ports are the front lines of an ongoing war between law enforcement and those who would illegally import or export illegal fish and wildlife,” Eason said. Most Floridians are unaware that the illegal importation and exportation of wildlife through the state’s ports is a significant and growing issue, he said.
Eason — in nominating Wayne for the award — cited several of his cases including these:
Operation Dirty Dealing — Wayne participated in a joint state and federal investigation of seafood dealers in St. Johns, Volusia, Indian River and Brevard counties that resulted in several citations and warnings being issued for state and federal fisheries violations.
Operation Atlantis — Wayne partnered in an investigation of two unlicensed marine life/tropical fish dealers in Putnam County. The probe also targeted suspected illegal sale of reptiles such as lizards and snakes. The two-to three-day operation concluded with several citations and warnings being issued to violators, Wayne said.
Operation Tanked —Wayne intercepted several shipments of marine life from a Brevard County unlicensed internet dealer — triggering a multi-agency investigation resulting in federal charges under the Lacey Act — a United States conservation law prohibiting trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold.
Reticulated python — Wayne intercepted the shipment of a reticulated python, which is classified as a conditional/invasive species in Florida as the reptile was en route from a South Florida reptile dealer to a Cocoa resident. The dealer had an extensive history of selling conditional species to unlicensed individuals.
Wayne said that since becoming an investigator, he’s learned that be it fish or wildlife or anything else, if people can make money off it, they will. In the old days, he said, illegal fish and wildlife dealers would set up a storefront operation, but now all that’s needed is a computer with internet access and a way to ship the fish or wildlife.
He said people have taken wildlife ranging from baby alligators to turtles, venomous snakes and marine tropical fish out of Florida to sell elsewhere in the nation or overseas.
“It’s hard to say whether there’s an increase in it but I would say we’re getting better at detecting it. Through our port investigations and our internet crime investigations we’re able to see a lot more of it,” Wayne said. Investigators uncover illegal fish and wildlife trafficking via various methods including the internet or by intercepting shipments, he said.
A graduate of the Florida Leadership Academy, Wayne has served as field training officer and instructor for the agency in several areas including port investigations, man-tracking, airboat operation and boating under the influence investigations. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University.
Wayne also is active in the community, and volunteers as a board member for the National Association of Chiefs of Police at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, which provides family support programs to officers permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Earlier this year, Wayne received the Investigator of the Year Award from the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association, which recognizes “the best and brightest in Florida’s law enforcement community.”
Wayne is assigned to the agency’s Northeast Region encompassing 12 counties including Putnam and St. Johns. The region runs from St. Johns to Indian River on the east coast and west over to Sumter.
“I love what I do in protecting the wildlife. It’s the only type of law enforcement that I would do because that’s how passionate about it that I am,” Wayne said. The biggest reward, he said, is “just the satisfaction that I’m helping the environment and that I’m helping people be safe.”
The annual award honors a FWC investigator whose efforts demonstrate outstanding performance and achievement among investigators on cases including captive wildlife, overt and covert operations, surveillance and wildlife trafficking.
Wayne worked his way up the ranks after joining the agency in 1991 as a wildlife officer assigned to water patrol on the north end of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. He became a captain but in 2012 took a voluntary demotion to become the agency’s first full-time ports investigator.
Wayne said his uncle inspired his love of the outdoors and shared passion for fishing. As a teenager, Wayne was with his uncle in a boat fishing “out in the middle of nowhere” off the state’s southwest coast when he caught sight of his future career. His uncle said “uh, oh, here comes the man.” He then said “the wildlife officer” when Wayne asked what he meant.
“And he came and checked us out … Then the officer left and my uncle told me ‘that would be a good job for you as much as you like the outdoors.’ He was thinking of a good government job, and that kind of sparked my interest and I looked into it,” said Wayne, adding it quickly became clear the career was right for him.
Wayne said his two biggest 2015 cases are still pending.
One thing that never changes, he said, is the unknown of what he might encounter day-to-day. “It might be a snake. It might be monkeys. It might be lobsters. It could be anything,” he said.
FWC officials credit Wayne with making numerous major cases involving the illegal import/export of fish and wildlife. He has helped guide FWC’s ports inspection program’s success and expansion. That success has spurred the agency to add five port investigator positions statewide, they said.
Maj. Gregg Eason, FWC investigations section leader, said Wayne “has made some incredible cases and has been instrumental in advancing the FWC’s port inspection program.
”This important program is a vital tool to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking – a $20 billion per year industry that undermines legal businesses and jeopardizes public safety. His work has strengthened our ability to successfully combat this activity,” Eason said.
Eason said one of Wayne’s most important cases dealing with the illegal import/export of fish and wildlife was a two-year multi-agency effort to investigate a case that cause more than $1 million in damages.
“Florida’s ports are the front lines of an ongoing war between law enforcement and those who would illegally import or export illegal fish and wildlife,” Eason said. Most Floridians are unaware that the illegal importation and exportation of wildlife through the state’s ports is a significant and growing issue, he said.
Eason — in nominating Wayne for the award — cited several of his cases including these:
Operation Dirty Dealing — Wayne participated in a joint state and federal investigation of seafood dealers in St. Johns, Volusia, Indian River and Brevard counties that resulted in several citations and warnings being issued for state and federal fisheries violations.
Operation Atlantis — Wayne partnered in an investigation of two unlicensed marine life/tropical fish dealers in Putnam County. The probe also targeted suspected illegal sale of reptiles such as lizards and snakes. The two-to three-day operation concluded with several citations and warnings being issued to violators, Wayne said.
Operation Tanked —Wayne intercepted several shipments of marine life from a Brevard County unlicensed internet dealer — triggering a multi-agency investigation resulting in federal charges under the Lacey Act — a United States conservation law prohibiting trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold.
Reticulated python — Wayne intercepted the shipment of a reticulated python, which is classified as a conditional/invasive species in Florida as the reptile was en route from a South Florida reptile dealer to a Cocoa resident. The dealer had an extensive history of selling conditional species to unlicensed individuals.
Wayne said that since becoming an investigator, he’s learned that be it fish or wildlife or anything else, if people can make money off it, they will. In the old days, he said, illegal fish and wildlife dealers would set up a storefront operation, but now all that’s needed is a computer with internet access and a way to ship the fish or wildlife.
He said people have taken wildlife ranging from baby alligators to turtles, venomous snakes and marine tropical fish out of Florida to sell elsewhere in the nation or overseas.
“It’s hard to say whether there’s an increase in it but I would say we’re getting better at detecting it. Through our port investigations and our internet crime investigations we’re able to see a lot more of it,” Wayne said. Investigators uncover illegal fish and wildlife trafficking via various methods including the internet or by intercepting shipments, he said.
A graduate of the Florida Leadership Academy, Wayne has served as field training officer and instructor for the agency in several areas including port investigations, man-tracking, airboat operation and boating under the influence investigations. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University.
Wayne also is active in the community, and volunteers as a board member for the National Association of Chiefs of Police at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, which provides family support programs to officers permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Earlier this year, Wayne received the Investigator of the Year Award from the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association, which recognizes “the best and brightest in Florida’s law enforcement community.”
NEPAL: Central Investigation Bureau Of Nepal Police Honored For Combating Wildlife Trafficking
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has been honored with the Clark R Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award on Monday for its 'exceptional' contribution in combating wildlife trafficking in Nepal.
The award was presented to CIB Director DIG Nawaraj Silwal at the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Agencies from nine countries were awarded in different categories during the function.
Clark R Ravin award, one of the prominent awards that is only presented during CITES CoPs, is presented by the US-based Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) that recognizes individuals, organizations and agencies that have demonstrated excellence in combating wildlife crime.
After receiving the award, CIB Director Silwal said, “It provided us with encouragement to work even harder and more efficiently on the days ahead.”
He further said that he was thankful to the organizations for judging CIB of Nepal Police for the best law enforcement agency in the world. “During the award ceremony, I called upon the world community to work together to fight the transnational criminals,” he added via email.
The Wildlife Pillar of CIB had performed some exceptional works to combat organized wildlife trafficking within the trans-Himalayan region. The efforts of CIB has helped in bringing down smuggling of rare parts of tigers, rhinos and elephants leading to the success of 'zero poaching year,' that has been observed since 2011.
Issuing a press statement, AWI President Cathy Liss said, “The dedication of the award winners should be an example to all who cherish the biodiversity on this planet and to those who are committed to justice against wildlife criminals.”
The other winners include Sun Lei of Beijing Forest Police, China; Sanjay Dutta of India; Ritesh Sarothiya of India; Rony Malka of CITES Management Authority; Richard Bonham of Kenya; Wangalwa Wakhungu of Kenya; late Emily Stephen Kisamo of Tanzania; Martin Sims of United Kingdom; Gibson Mandaza of Zimbabwe; Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) rangers; and Members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
Since 1997, 96 individuals and/or agencies from 30 countries have received the Clark R Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award. The award is named after the late chief of the office of law enforcement of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bavin substantially elevated the fight against wildlife crime in the United States and internationally, pioneering the use of covert investigations and sting operations to expose illegal wildlife trade, according to the AWI.
The award was presented to CIB Director DIG Nawaraj Silwal at the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Agencies from nine countries were awarded in different categories during the function.
Clark R Ravin award, one of the prominent awards that is only presented during CITES CoPs, is presented by the US-based Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) that recognizes individuals, organizations and agencies that have demonstrated excellence in combating wildlife crime.
After receiving the award, CIB Director Silwal said, “It provided us with encouragement to work even harder and more efficiently on the days ahead.”
He further said that he was thankful to the organizations for judging CIB of Nepal Police for the best law enforcement agency in the world. “During the award ceremony, I called upon the world community to work together to fight the transnational criminals,” he added via email.
The Wildlife Pillar of CIB had performed some exceptional works to combat organized wildlife trafficking within the trans-Himalayan region. The efforts of CIB has helped in bringing down smuggling of rare parts of tigers, rhinos and elephants leading to the success of 'zero poaching year,' that has been observed since 2011.
Issuing a press statement, AWI President Cathy Liss said, “The dedication of the award winners should be an example to all who cherish the biodiversity on this planet and to those who are committed to justice against wildlife criminals.”
The other winners include Sun Lei of Beijing Forest Police, China; Sanjay Dutta of India; Ritesh Sarothiya of India; Rony Malka of CITES Management Authority; Richard Bonham of Kenya; Wangalwa Wakhungu of Kenya; late Emily Stephen Kisamo of Tanzania; Martin Sims of United Kingdom; Gibson Mandaza of Zimbabwe; Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) rangers; and Members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
Since 1997, 96 individuals and/or agencies from 30 countries have received the Clark R Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award. The award is named after the late chief of the office of law enforcement of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bavin substantially elevated the fight against wildlife crime in the United States and internationally, pioneering the use of covert investigations and sting operations to expose illegal wildlife trade, according to the AWI.
Sarawak To Protect Its Forests And Orangutans
Sarawak is moving ahead with plans to better protect the state's forests and wildlife.
Step 1: Come January next year, the Borneo state will have its own Department of National Parks and Wildlife. The new department's tasks will include conserving local wildlife and rolling back illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking and bush meat selling. The department, says Sapuan Ahamad, director of Sarawak's Forestry Department, "will in particular look after orangutans and the growing threat to humans from crocodiles threatened by food shortage and increasingly polluted rivers."
Step 2: By 2020, the state will create several new totally protected areas (TPAs), totaling 1.3 million hectares. “We are in the process of creating another 31 new TPAs with a combined area of 451,819 hectares and the new department can play its part here,” Sapuan said. That the department should definitely do.
“We have since July 2016 gazetted a total area of 903,769 hectares comprising 43 national parks (694,770 hectares), 14 natural reserves (2,539 hectares) and six wildlife sanctuaries (206,460 hectares),” the director explained. At the moment there are 30 National Parks, four Wildlife Sanctuaries and 10 nature reserves in Sarawak covering 602,035.8 hectares on land. The newly protected areas have already come to encompass all of Sarawak's orangutan habitats, providing better protection to resident primates: Batang Ai National Park, Ulu Sebuyau National Park, Sedilu National Park, and the Lanjak Entimau Wild Life Sanctuary.
In the adjacent TPAs of Batang Ai National Park and Lanjak Entimau Wild Life Sanctuary, some 1,600 orangutans roam freely. As part of "an Orangutan Strategic Action Plan," which prescribes a holistic approach to orangutan conservation, plans are underway to expand the boundary of Batang Ai National Park to incorporate the area around Ulu Sungai Menyang, where another 200 orangutans live. In tandem, the Forestry Department will step up efforts to combat illegal logging and to ensure that protected forests will not be felled for palm oil cultivation, which already occupies some 1.5 million hectares in the state.
These plans and developments should fill us with hope that at long last officials in Sarawak will come around to giving the state's world-renowned yet much-threatened forests and wildlife the kind of protection that they truly deserve. Several conservationists have lauded these moves by the state's government. “The creation of an independent body looking after and protecting Sarawak’s forests and wildlife is a move into the right direction,” stressed Annina Aeberli, from the Swiss conservation group Bruno Manser Fund.
Step 1: Come January next year, the Borneo state will have its own Department of National Parks and Wildlife. The new department's tasks will include conserving local wildlife and rolling back illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking and bush meat selling. The department, says Sapuan Ahamad, director of Sarawak's Forestry Department, "will in particular look after orangutans and the growing threat to humans from crocodiles threatened by food shortage and increasingly polluted rivers."
Step 2: By 2020, the state will create several new totally protected areas (TPAs), totaling 1.3 million hectares. “We are in the process of creating another 31 new TPAs with a combined area of 451,819 hectares and the new department can play its part here,” Sapuan said. That the department should definitely do.
“We have since July 2016 gazetted a total area of 903,769 hectares comprising 43 national parks (694,770 hectares), 14 natural reserves (2,539 hectares) and six wildlife sanctuaries (206,460 hectares),” the director explained. At the moment there are 30 National Parks, four Wildlife Sanctuaries and 10 nature reserves in Sarawak covering 602,035.8 hectares on land. The newly protected areas have already come to encompass all of Sarawak's orangutan habitats, providing better protection to resident primates: Batang Ai National Park, Ulu Sebuyau National Park, Sedilu National Park, and the Lanjak Entimau Wild Life Sanctuary.
In the adjacent TPAs of Batang Ai National Park and Lanjak Entimau Wild Life Sanctuary, some 1,600 orangutans roam freely. As part of "an Orangutan Strategic Action Plan," which prescribes a holistic approach to orangutan conservation, plans are underway to expand the boundary of Batang Ai National Park to incorporate the area around Ulu Sungai Menyang, where another 200 orangutans live. In tandem, the Forestry Department will step up efforts to combat illegal logging and to ensure that protected forests will not be felled for palm oil cultivation, which already occupies some 1.5 million hectares in the state.
These plans and developments should fill us with hope that at long last officials in Sarawak will come around to giving the state's world-renowned yet much-threatened forests and wildlife the kind of protection that they truly deserve. Several conservationists have lauded these moves by the state's government. “The creation of an independent body looking after and protecting Sarawak’s forests and wildlife is a move into the right direction,” stressed Annina Aeberli, from the Swiss conservation group Bruno Manser Fund.
MALAYSIA: Chasing After Ivory Smugglers
Whether we like it or not, Malaysia is a major global hub of wildlife trafficking. Both indigenous species and foreign ones, as well as their body parts, continue passing into and out of the country at the hands of unscrupulous criminal syndicates. That must stop.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar agrees. Recent seizures by officials of ivory smuggled into the country has highlighted the need for unflagging vigilance, he says. “Malaysia’s geographic location is central, allowing for the smuggled ivory to be transported to China, Thailand and Taiwan, which are the three main countries with the strongest demand for ivory,” the minister told the Malay Mail newspaper.
Between 2011 and August this year officials have documented 24 cases of ivory smuggling. The various hoards amounted to a total of RM43.4 million at black market prices, indicating how lucrative wildlife trafficking can be for criminals. Within a two-year period from 2013 to 2015 Wildlife and National Parks Department officials seized 216 elephant tusks, smuggled either in parts or in whole, as well as products made from ivory, weighing 920kg in total.
In April, Malaysian officials destroyed 9.5 tons of ivory, seized from smugglers, at a much-publicized event in an effort to dissuade trafficking gangs from continuing to use the country as a transit point. That, however, did not dissuade them all. In June, a large hoard of ivory, 1.2 tons of it, was seized at an international airport in South Sudan: the tusks were bound for Malaysia. A month later, Malaysia's Customs Department discovered yet another cache of ivory, worth around RM10 million, at Kuala Lumpur's international airport. The tusks had been from sub-Saharan Africa, via Turkey.
Malaysia has developed a National Ivory Action Plan to try and roll back the international trade in ivory, which has seen thousands upon thousands of elephants slaughtered in Africa and Asia for their tusks by poachers. The country is also participating in joint operations overseen by the Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network, Interpol and the anti-wildlife trafficking group Freeland Foundation.
These are laudable initiatives. They are bound to be less effective, however, without public support. After all, we cannot just blame poachers and traffickers for the rampant trade in ivory and other exotic animal parts like tiger bones and sun bear paws. They merely cater to widespread demand for those parts. If we all stop buying exotic animal parts, poachers and smugglers will have no incentive to keep selling them.
We should also stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving wildlife. “The public are encouraged to report to Perhilitan should they come across any instances of suspicious activities which may involve endangered wildlife,” Wan Junaidi said.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar agrees. Recent seizures by officials of ivory smuggled into the country has highlighted the need for unflagging vigilance, he says. “Malaysia’s geographic location is central, allowing for the smuggled ivory to be transported to China, Thailand and Taiwan, which are the three main countries with the strongest demand for ivory,” the minister told the Malay Mail newspaper.
Between 2011 and August this year officials have documented 24 cases of ivory smuggling. The various hoards amounted to a total of RM43.4 million at black market prices, indicating how lucrative wildlife trafficking can be for criminals. Within a two-year period from 2013 to 2015 Wildlife and National Parks Department officials seized 216 elephant tusks, smuggled either in parts or in whole, as well as products made from ivory, weighing 920kg in total.
In April, Malaysian officials destroyed 9.5 tons of ivory, seized from smugglers, at a much-publicized event in an effort to dissuade trafficking gangs from continuing to use the country as a transit point. That, however, did not dissuade them all. In June, a large hoard of ivory, 1.2 tons of it, was seized at an international airport in South Sudan: the tusks were bound for Malaysia. A month later, Malaysia's Customs Department discovered yet another cache of ivory, worth around RM10 million, at Kuala Lumpur's international airport. The tusks had been from sub-Saharan Africa, via Turkey.
Malaysia has developed a National Ivory Action Plan to try and roll back the international trade in ivory, which has seen thousands upon thousands of elephants slaughtered in Africa and Asia for their tusks by poachers. The country is also participating in joint operations overseen by the Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network, Interpol and the anti-wildlife trafficking group Freeland Foundation.
These are laudable initiatives. They are bound to be less effective, however, without public support. After all, we cannot just blame poachers and traffickers for the rampant trade in ivory and other exotic animal parts like tiger bones and sun bear paws. They merely cater to widespread demand for those parts. If we all stop buying exotic animal parts, poachers and smugglers will have no incentive to keep selling them.
We should also stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving wildlife. “The public are encouraged to report to Perhilitan should they come across any instances of suspicious activities which may involve endangered wildlife,” Wan Junaidi said.
Dubai Tourism’s First-ever East Africa Roadshow
Dubai-based airline flydubai (www.flydubai.com) is participating in Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (Dubai Tourism) first-ever East Africa roadshow joining 14 Dubai-based partners in showcasing a wide range of services and upcoming attractions. flydubai will take part in the road show in Kampala on 24 August, where it will then continue to Dar es Salaam on 30 August.
The roadshow is a great platform for local operators to meet directly with the airline and learn first-hand about the services and choices passengers from the market have when choosing to fly directly to Dubai for business or leisure.
Commenting ahead of the roadshow, Issam Kazim, CEO at Dubai Tourism, said: “The potential of Uganda and Tanzania as a source market is positive, and this roadshow provides us with the opportunity to directly interact with the operators here and showcase what Dubai has to offer. We look forward to making long-lasting and fruitful trade relationships during the trip to further grow the tourism market in Uganda for the benefit of all.”
flydubai was launched in 2009 to help create free flows of trade and tourism in the region and further support Dubai’s vision to become an internationally recognised aviation and tourism hub. flydubai’s reliable, affordable and high quality product offering with both business and economy classes, makes it possible for more people to travel more often to Dubai.
Sudhir Sreedharan, SVP Commercial Operations at flydubai (GCC, Africa & Indian Sub-Continent), said: “We are very pleased to take part in Dubai Tourism’s first-ever roadshow to East Africa and to showcase brand Dubai and flydubai. We are committed to opening up underserved markets and providing reliable, direct air links to destinations that previously had no or very few connections to Dubai. East Africa is a very important market that has shown significant growth over the past few years. We currently operate 82 weekly flights to 11 points in Africa, including 3 weekly flights to Entebbe and 4 weekly flights to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. These weekly frequencies will increase to 4 flights to Entebbe and 7 flights to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar from October.”
flydubai currently flies to 11 destinations in North and East Africa: Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Entebbe, Hargeisa, Juba, Khartoum, Port Sudan and Zanzibar.
Business Class is available on most of the routes on the flydubai network and the carrier has recently introduced WiFi and Live TV on select flights.
The carrier, which is the second largest operator out of Dubai International, has built a network of 90 destinations in 44 countries and operates more than 1,700 flights a week out of it is home in Dubai International (DXB), Terminal 2 and the newly opened Al Maktoum International- Dubai World Central (DWC).
About flydubai:
Dubai-based flydubai (flydubai.com) strives to remove barriers to travel and enhance connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network. Since launching its operations in 2009, flydubai has:
• Created a network of 90 destinations in 44 countries, with 19 new routes launched in 2015.
• Opened up 59 routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.
• Operates a single fleet type of Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will take delivery of more than 100 aircraft by the end of 2023.
In addition, flydubai’s agility and flexibility as a young airline has enhanced Dubai’s economic development, in line with the Government of Dubai’s vision, by creating trade and tourism flows in previously underserved markets.
For more information about flydubai services, please visit flydubai.com.
Please visit our Newsroom for the latest flydubai news
About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism):
With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism’s mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate.
Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment).
Women Warriors Of Nature!
Women are true environmental warriors whose myriad contributions are vital for conservationism and environmental protection. So says Nazrin Shah, the sultan of Perak, and we certainly second that view. Numerous women, Sultan Nazrin said, "have made important impacts, both through their own direct actions and through the inspiration they have provided to others to make their own commitment to respect the environment.” Yes, they have.
The sultan spoke at the 26th Conference of the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asian Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) on the topic "Respect the Environment for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future" in Kuala Lumpur. As exemplary female conservationists he cited the late Kenyan environmentalist and political activist Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement, which empowers people, especially women, to protect the natural environment and live sustainable lives. Nazrin also cited Jane Goodall, "another outstanding woman environmentalist whose work has made immense contribution by promoting greater respect for and understanding of animals.”
The sultan could equally have cited Malaysian women like Yasmin Rasyid, founder and president of EcoKnights. A marine biologist and mother of two from Ipoh, Yasmin, 41, is a committed environmentalist whose nonprofit which focuses on environmental education and awareness, as well as community empowerment and development.
Over the years her organization has spearheaded numerous community-based projects to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable lifestyles in communities around Malaysia from villages to towns to cities. "EcoKnights has also organised several road shows, upon request, to educate the public on environmental awareness such as through recycling programmes,” she told Bernama.
Another leading light of environmentalism in Malaysia is Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil, a Penang native who is president of the Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka). Shariffa has been campaigning relentlessly to protect her native state from further depredations at the hands of property developers. She has spoken out both against coastal reclamations and against encroachments on hills and forests. “The stripped hills (in Penang) are obscene and we cannot bear the sights of looking at the bald patches,” she said recently. “Something must be done immediately to rectify the worsening stripped hill portion immediately.”
Something definitely needs to be done and we are lucky to have women like Yasmin and Shariffa wage battles tirelessly day after day for the environment. More power to these two and all other women warriors of nature!
The sultan spoke at the 26th Conference of the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asian Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) on the topic "Respect the Environment for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future" in Kuala Lumpur. As exemplary female conservationists he cited the late Kenyan environmentalist and political activist Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement, which empowers people, especially women, to protect the natural environment and live sustainable lives. Nazrin also cited Jane Goodall, "another outstanding woman environmentalist whose work has made immense contribution by promoting greater respect for and understanding of animals.”
The sultan could equally have cited Malaysian women like Yasmin Rasyid, founder and president of EcoKnights. A marine biologist and mother of two from Ipoh, Yasmin, 41, is a committed environmentalist whose nonprofit which focuses on environmental education and awareness, as well as community empowerment and development.
Over the years her organization has spearheaded numerous community-based projects to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable lifestyles in communities around Malaysia from villages to towns to cities. "EcoKnights has also organised several road shows, upon request, to educate the public on environmental awareness such as through recycling programmes,” she told Bernama.
Another leading light of environmentalism in Malaysia is Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil, a Penang native who is president of the Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka). Shariffa has been campaigning relentlessly to protect her native state from further depredations at the hands of property developers. She has spoken out both against coastal reclamations and against encroachments on hills and forests. “The stripped hills (in Penang) are obscene and we cannot bear the sights of looking at the bald patches,” she said recently. “Something must be done immediately to rectify the worsening stripped hill portion immediately.”
Something definitely needs to be done and we are lucky to have women like Yasmin and Shariffa wage battles tirelessly day after day for the environment. More power to these two and all other women warriors of nature!
MALAYSIA: Environment Minister Promises To Get Tough On Wildlife Traffickers
Malaysia is a major global hub of wildlife trafficking with the body parts of endangered animals coming into and out of the country with depressing regularity. The good news is that local officials are well aware of this fact. Better yet, they say they want to do something about it.
"[W]e are aware of what comes in and out of the country," Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said. “We support efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, especially ivory trade,” he added while acknowledging that “Malaysia is one of the world’s transit countries for illegal ivory trade, with its ports serving as a major gateway between Africa and Asia."
If we are to believe the minister, traffickers will soon be on the run. Malaysia, Wan Junaidi said, will boost its domestic surveillance operations while the country will also enhance international cooperation to stamp out wildlife smuggling once and for all.
“We will enhance our intelligence capability and work with enforcement agencies to gather more information on the modus operandi of smugglers," Wan Junaidi said. “We need to identify source countries, nab culprits and trace the sender and receiver of the illegal goods.”
Among the latest measures, he said, Malaysian officials have beefed up their forensic and tracing capabilities to better determine the origins of poached ivory smuggled into the country from across Africa.
Just about time, too. Malaysia is the world's primary transit point for illicit ivory, according to the international anti-trafficking watchdog TRAFFIC. Between January 2003 and May 2014, TRAFFIC has noted, Malaysia was linked to 66 confiscations worldwide, amounting to a staggering total of 63,419kg of ivory. Of these, 19 seizures were made within Malaysia with the rest consisting of shipments that had passed undetected through the country.
“The sheer volume of ivory flowing through Malaysia’s ports has flagged it as a country of concern at the global level,” said Kanitha Krishnasamy, senior programme manager for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia. “Getting tough on the traffickers involved in smuggling ivory into Asia should be a top priority for national enforcement agencies.”
Here's hoping that Wan Junaidi is a man of his word and his officials will indeed get a lot tougher on traffickers.
"[W]e are aware of what comes in and out of the country," Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said. “We support efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, especially ivory trade,” he added while acknowledging that “Malaysia is one of the world’s transit countries for illegal ivory trade, with its ports serving as a major gateway between Africa and Asia."
If we are to believe the minister, traffickers will soon be on the run. Malaysia, Wan Junaidi said, will boost its domestic surveillance operations while the country will also enhance international cooperation to stamp out wildlife smuggling once and for all.
“We will enhance our intelligence capability and work with enforcement agencies to gather more information on the modus operandi of smugglers," Wan Junaidi said. “We need to identify source countries, nab culprits and trace the sender and receiver of the illegal goods.”
Among the latest measures, he said, Malaysian officials have beefed up their forensic and tracing capabilities to better determine the origins of poached ivory smuggled into the country from across Africa.
Just about time, too. Malaysia is the world's primary transit point for illicit ivory, according to the international anti-trafficking watchdog TRAFFIC. Between January 2003 and May 2014, TRAFFIC has noted, Malaysia was linked to 66 confiscations worldwide, amounting to a staggering total of 63,419kg of ivory. Of these, 19 seizures were made within Malaysia with the rest consisting of shipments that had passed undetected through the country.
“The sheer volume of ivory flowing through Malaysia’s ports has flagged it as a country of concern at the global level,” said Kanitha Krishnasamy, senior programme manager for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia. “Getting tough on the traffickers involved in smuggling ivory into Asia should be a top priority for national enforcement agencies.”
Here's hoping that Wan Junaidi is a man of his word and his officials will indeed get a lot tougher on traffickers.
Kenyan Journalist Aggrey Mutambo Wins APO Invitation to Attend the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2016
APO will offer one round trip ticket and accommodation in Kigali for Aggrey Mutambo to attend the leading hotel investment conference in Africa
APO (www.APO-opa.com), the press release distribution service dedicated to Africa and the Middle East, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa and Middle East, today announced that reporter Aggrey Mutambo (@agmutambo) from Kenya has won APO’s invitation to attend the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) 2016, the leading hotel investment conference in Africa (www.Africa-Conference.com), to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 4-6 October 2016.
APO will offer one round trip ticket and accommodation in Kigali for Aggrey Mutambo to attend Africa Hotel Investment Forum.
“APO congratulates Aggrey and is proud to offer this opportunity to an experienced reporter with a rich background. APO offers invitations each year to major African events as part of our commitment to supporting journalism in Africa and creating opportunities for journalists to learn and grow across Africa,” says Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO of APO.
A trained journalist, Aggrey Mutambo joined the Nation Media Group in 2009 and currently writes for the Daily Nation. He holds a Masters Degree in Diplomacy from the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi.
Each year APO offers journalists the opportunity to attend major African events such as the African Development Bank Annual Meeting and AfricaCom as a part of its commitment to supporting journalism in Africa.
For instance, the three previous recipients of the AfricaCom invitation were science journalist Aimable Twahirwa from Rwanda (http://apo.af/nsQpxT), journalist John Churu from Botswana (http://apo.af/QpEYBG) and journalist Lilian Murugi Mutegi (http://apo.af/OObhll).
APO also sponsors the APO Energy Media Award (http://apo.af/IVnNJR) and the APO Media Award (http://apo.af/erwHiu) where a journalist wins $500 a month for one year, one laptop and one intercontinental flight ticket to a destination of his or her choice as well as one year of access to over 600 airport VIP lounges.
APO (www.APO-opa.com), the press release distribution service dedicated to Africa and the Middle East, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa and Middle East, today announced that reporter Aggrey Mutambo (@agmutambo) from Kenya has won APO’s invitation to attend the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) 2016, the leading hotel investment conference in Africa (www.Africa-Conference.com), to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 4-6 October 2016.
APO will offer one round trip ticket and accommodation in Kigali for Aggrey Mutambo to attend Africa Hotel Investment Forum.
“APO congratulates Aggrey and is proud to offer this opportunity to an experienced reporter with a rich background. APO offers invitations each year to major African events as part of our commitment to supporting journalism in Africa and creating opportunities for journalists to learn and grow across Africa,” says Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO of APO.
A trained journalist, Aggrey Mutambo joined the Nation Media Group in 2009 and currently writes for the Daily Nation. He holds a Masters Degree in Diplomacy from the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi.
Each year APO offers journalists the opportunity to attend major African events such as the African Development Bank Annual Meeting and AfricaCom as a part of its commitment to supporting journalism in Africa.
For instance, the three previous recipients of the AfricaCom invitation were science journalist Aimable Twahirwa from Rwanda (http://apo.af/nsQpxT), journalist John Churu from Botswana (http://apo.af/QpEYBG) and journalist Lilian Murugi Mutegi (http://apo.af/OObhll).
APO also sponsors the APO Energy Media Award (http://apo.af/IVnNJR) and the APO Media Award (http://apo.af/erwHiu) where a journalist wins $500 a month for one year, one laptop and one intercontinental flight ticket to a destination of his or her choice as well as one year of access to over 600 airport VIP lounges.
Close All Tiger Farms, Tigers Killed Every Week
There is also growing evidence that wildlife traffickers are still exploiting a smugglers' route that stretches from Thailand to Vietnam via Laos. In all three countries the number of tiger farms has risen in recent years. “This analysis provides clear evidence that illegal trade in tigers, their parts and products, persists as an important conservation concern," said Steven Broad, executive director of TRAFFIC. "Despite repeated government commitments to close down tiger farms in Asia, such facilities are flourishing and playing an increasing role in fuelling illegal trade."
Conservationists are bringing increasing pressure to bear on governments to close down tiger farms, which routinely market themselves as centers for tiger conservation while in fact exploiting captive tigers as tourist attractions. In an especially notorious recent case, a Buddhist temple in central Thailand, where tourists could pose for pictures with tigers, was found to have sold the parts of several tigers on the black market. In Vietnam, too, several recent seizures of tiger parts have revealed a thriving black market. The government of Laos has pledged to shut down commercial tiger farms in the country.
“Criminal networks are increasingly trafficking captive bred tigers around Asia, undermining law enforcement efforts and helping to fuel demand. Tiger range countries must rapidly close their farms or wild tigers will face a future only as skin and bones,” said Ginette Hemley, a conservationist at WWF. “Laos and Thailand have announced steps in the right direction but they need to act now and other countries should swiftly follow the same path marked ‘close all tiger farms’.”
Those farms reduce tigers to languishing in captivity as tourist draws while they also pose a clear and present danger to conservation efforts by potentially aiding in the trafficking of tiger parts. TRAFFIC and WWF have called on countries with tiger ranges to share information and intelligence on incidences of tiger seizures and poaching for improved intelligence on trafficking networks. The two NGOs have also urged “commercial trading sites and social media enterprises to work closely with national governments to shut down businesses and individuals found to be facilitating the illegal trade in tigers (and other endangered species) online.”
PERU: LatAm's Most Visited City For Third Year In A Row Is Lima
As is known, the Inca nation capital has also been crowned top-ranked destination city in Latin America in 2015 and 2014 editions.
According to the Mastercard report, the city has recorded over 4 million tourists this year, a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year.
“Lima is the top-ranked destination city in Latin America with over four million international visitors. Mexico City follows in second rank with almost three million visitors. Punta Cana, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires come after that in third, fourth and fifth ranks respectively,” the Index underlined.
Likewise, Peru's capital is featured as the region's fastest-growing destination city, with Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) of 9.9%, followed by Bogota (9.6%), Punta Cana (7.3%), Rio de Janeiro (6.5%) and Mexico City (6.2%)
As for purpose of visit, the study shows 76% of visitors arrived in the coastal capital on leisure trips, whereas the remaining 24% represents business travels.
Peak months of tourist inflow are May, July, August and October.
Lima’s top feeder city is Santiago, accounting for 661,000 visitors and US$164 million of spending), followed by Buenos Aires (375,000), Bogota (352,000), Miami (328,000), and Mexico City (305,000), whose visitors are the fastest-growing.
Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index (GDCI) ranks 132 cities by overall tourist spend, total overnight visitors, pace of growth, and volume within regions.
The Index charts also show the way these cities are connected through air travel.
Lambayeque’s Tourism Sector Expects 900,000 Arrivals In 2016
The amount includes national and foreign visitors, and denotes a 30% increase from the same period last year.
Between January and August, 630,000 visitors arrived in the northern area.
"The goal is to border one million tourists in 2017," Gercetur Chairman Lindon Vela affirmed.
Vela mentioned tourism promotion campaigns are not only launched in Lambayeque, but also in Lima. Likewise, officials travel overseas to promote visits to the aforementioned region.
"It [tourism promotion] will contribute to increasing the number of foreign tourists, and we have to adapt to the goal set by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski: to double the number of visitors," Vela pointed out.
As is known, the Head of State expects Peru to welcome 7 million tourists by 2021.
Within the framework of World Tourism Day, a launching ceremony was held in Lambayeque to present main tourism products: Forests and Pyramids located in the area.
Vela stressed the said product comprises Pomac Forest's Historical Sanctuary and the Archaeological Site of Sican hosting 36 pyramids, as well as forest species.
PERU: Daily Flight To Enhance Tourism In Northern Macro Region
The airline expects to fly more than 100,000 passengers a year between the two destinations. This way the new route will diversify the tourist experience in Peru.
“This will also improve the Alto Utcubamba tourist circuit with a reduced travel time to Chachapoyas —starting point to visit sites like Gocta Falls, Kuelap Archaeological Complex, Sarcophagi of Karajia, Revash's mausoleums and Leymebamba district,” he indicated.
The good news adds up to the soon-to-be-opened Kuelap cable-car system in Chachapoyas.
Cable cars will run for 4km up to the said site and take 20 minutes. The work has been undertaken by Mincetur since 2015.
The Jaen daily flight will be the 17th destination added by LATAM Airlines, which celebrates its 17th anniversary of Peru service this year.
PERU: Preferred Destination For Tourism Investment
“Of course Peru is attractive, and even more now with all the announcements made, as they are spread by the media and read by investors,” he told Andina news agency.
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has pledged to increase the number of tourists twofold to 7 million by 2021. Remarks were made on the occasion of World Tourism Day at a ceremony held at the Government Palace in the presence of sector’s investors.
“It’s our turn the private sector to get to work; one thing is infrastructure investment, but we now need tourism plant, which encompasses hotels, restaurants, means of transportation, guides, in brief, anything that complements ports, airports and roads,” he said.
The private sector should introduce new services and products and unblock air connectivity investments so as to accomplish the goal of 7 million tourists by the bicentennial.
“We must innovate and be able to attract more people, we have to unlock the airport [second landing strip] project, which is one of our bottlenecks,” Gamarra noted.
He went on to add the Andean nation's hotel industry also arouses interest of foreign investors, and that President Kuczynski’s announcement provides a good framework for private investment.
For instance, North America, South America, and Europe-based firms have expressed interest in the hotel sector.
PERU: Chinese Visitors To Peru
The capital city, Lima, the country’s beach area and the famed folklore of Peru are some of the most popular attractions among Chinese visitors to the Inca nation.
"We should take advantage of the long-lasting friendship between these two nations, particularly now that the Asian Giant has money," says Teresa Joo Lamg, general manager at Peru-China Chamber of Commerce.
"Chinese vacationers spend money, are keen to explore the world and travel in groups," she told Peru’s official newspaper El Peruano.
To Chinese, Peru is a faraway nation on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. "So once they are in South America, they expect to find interesting places and shows."
"While in Cusco, they are prone to altitude sickness, and not everyone is able to avoid it," however, she explained such visitors like Lima.
A few year ago, Joo had the chance to join a delegation visiting Congress and the Government Palace. "They looked astonished! This caught their attention. People can visit the Great Hall of the People in China. They just like those kind of places."
Asian visitors also look for museums, but the beach is what is loved the most. China has a coastline; however, many cities are inland.
"Churches? They don’t like them very much, and dislike catacombs. Although they are interested in political topics, given the different systems."
Moreover, Chinese travelers take an interest in folklore. China has 56 different ethnic groups, who have preserved their dances and customs.
They usually buy crafted items, mainly alpaca wool scarves and sweaters.
"We should take advantage of the long-lasting friendship between these two nations, particularly now that the Asian Giant has money," says Teresa Joo Lamg, general manager at Peru-China Chamber of Commerce.
"Chinese vacationers spend money, are keen to explore the world and travel in groups," she told Peru’s official newspaper El Peruano.
To Chinese, Peru is a faraway nation on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. "So once they are in South America, they expect to find interesting places and shows."
"While in Cusco, they are prone to altitude sickness, and not everyone is able to avoid it," however, she explained such visitors like Lima.
A few year ago, Joo had the chance to join a delegation visiting Congress and the Government Palace. "They looked astonished! This caught their attention. People can visit the Great Hall of the People in China. They just like those kind of places."
Asian visitors also look for museums, but the beach is what is loved the most. China has a coastline; however, many cities are inland.
"Churches? They don’t like them very much, and dislike catacombs. Although they are interested in political topics, given the different systems."
Moreover, Chinese travelers take an interest in folklore. China has 56 different ethnic groups, who have preserved their dances and customs.
They usually buy crafted items, mainly alpaca wool scarves and sweaters.
NEW ZEALAND: WanakaThe Leader In New Zealand,
Dunedin's winter tourism push may be bearing fruit, with a strong rise in tourism expenditure for August.
Wanaka was again the leader in New Zealand, with its 16.3% annual increase continuing strong expenditure growth.
Those increases helped Otago to become the second fastest growing tourism region after Nelson, which topped the list at 11.7%.
Otago’s tourism expenditure for the year to August was up 9.6% to $3.2 billion.
The figures are the latest from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s monthly regional tourism estimates.
Dunedin’s figures for August showed $45 million was spent in the city, a 13.2% increase on the same month last year.
Enterprise Dunedin joined local tourism operators, Air New Zealand, TripAdvisor and others to create the Where the Wild Things Are campaign earlier this year, promoting Dunedin to the Australian and domestic visitor market as a destination during winter.
Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the increase was what could be expected considering the national increase in tourism, and the work the city had done.
The push in the Australian market "we know anecdotally is having an effect".
"We are definitely aware of the fact that people from Australia are coming here."
Mr Christie said that had been noticeable at the iSITE centre in Dunedin.
People arriving at the centre had mentioned the campaign.
"You don’t normally get that direct feedback."
Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore said the area had been tracking at between 18% and 20% through summer.
Winter was already a strong season so it was hard to maintain that level of growth.
Mr Helmore said Wanaka had experienced both an increase in numbers, and an increase in the value of tourists’ spending.
Clutha was the only district in Otago showing an annual drop in tourism expenditure, with a 0.4% decrease.
Wanaka was again the leader in New Zealand, with its 16.3% annual increase continuing strong expenditure growth.
Those increases helped Otago to become the second fastest growing tourism region after Nelson, which topped the list at 11.7%.
Otago’s tourism expenditure for the year to August was up 9.6% to $3.2 billion.
The figures are the latest from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s monthly regional tourism estimates.
Dunedin’s figures for August showed $45 million was spent in the city, a 13.2% increase on the same month last year.
Enterprise Dunedin joined local tourism operators, Air New Zealand, TripAdvisor and others to create the Where the Wild Things Are campaign earlier this year, promoting Dunedin to the Australian and domestic visitor market as a destination during winter.
Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the increase was what could be expected considering the national increase in tourism, and the work the city had done.
The push in the Australian market "we know anecdotally is having an effect".
"We are definitely aware of the fact that people from Australia are coming here."
Mr Christie said that had been noticeable at the iSITE centre in Dunedin.
People arriving at the centre had mentioned the campaign.
"You don’t normally get that direct feedback."
Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore said the area had been tracking at between 18% and 20% through summer.
Winter was already a strong season so it was hard to maintain that level of growth.
Mr Helmore said Wanaka had experienced both an increase in numbers, and an increase in the value of tourists’ spending.
Clutha was the only district in Otago showing an annual drop in tourism expenditure, with a 0.4% decrease.
Tuesday, 4 October 2016
CHILE: Chile Nominated As World’s Leading AdventureTourism Destination
The nomination was made after Chile won this category for South America at the World Travel Awards in July, making it part of the group of countries competing for this global award, that will be given out this year for the first time.
We invite you to vote for Chile at the following link up until October 24th. http://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote-for-chile-worlds-leading-adventure-tourism-destination-2016.
Also nominated for:
World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2016
South America's Leading Beach Destination 2016
South America's Leading Business Travel Destination 2016
South America's Leading City Break Destination 2016
South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2016
South America's Leading Cultural Destination 2016
South America's Leading Destination 2016
South America's Leading Destination 2016
South America's Leading Green Destination 2016
South America's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2016
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2016
South America's Leading Beach Destination 2015
South America's Leading Business Travel Destination 2015
South America's Leading City Break Destination 2015
South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2015
South America's Leading Cultural Destination 2015
South America's Leading Destination 2015
South America's Leading Destination 2015
South America's Leading Green Destination 2015
South America's Leading Heritage Destination 2015
South America's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2015
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2015
South America's Leading Beach Destination 2014
South America's Leading Business Travel Destination 2014
South America's Leading City Break Destination 2014
South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2014
South America's Leading Cultural Destination 2014
South America's Leading Destination 2014
South America's Leading Destination 2014
South America's Leading Green Destination 2014
South America's Leading Heritage Destination 2014
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2014
South America's Leading Beach Destination 2013
South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2013
South America's Leading Destination 2013
South America's Leading Destination 2013
South America's Leading Green Destination 2013
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2013
South America's Leading Beach Destination 2012
South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2012
South America's Leading Destination 2012
South America's Leading Destination 2012
South America's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2012
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2012
South America's Leading Beach 2011
South America's Leading Destination 2011
South America's Leading Destination 2011
South America's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2011
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2011
South America's Leading Beach 2010
South America's Leading Destination 2010
South America's Leading Destination 2010
South America's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2010
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2010
World's Leading Emerging Business Destination 2009
South America's Leading Beach 2009
South America's Leading Destination 2009
South America's Leading Destination 2009
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2009
South America's Leading Beach 2008
South America's Leading Destination 2008
South America's Leading Destination 2008
South America's Leading Tourist Board 2008
South America's Leading Beach 2007
South America's Leading Destination 2007
South America's Leading Destination 2007
South America's Leading Dive Destination 2007
South America's Leading Overall Travel Information Website 2007
South America's Leading Tourist & Convention Bureau 2007
South America's Leading Destination 2006
South America's Leading Tourist & Convention Bureau 2006
South America's Leading Destination 2005
South America's Leading Tourist & Convention Bureau 2005
Helmeted Hornbills Will Go Extinct In The Wild
Unless we act, helmeted hornbills will go extinct in the wild. The beautiful birds have been poached mercilessly across their range for their casques (helmet-like structures atop their beaks), which are highly prized as decorative items in China and Vietnam. In an encouraging development, however, participating nations at a CITES conference in Johannesburg have adopted a resolution calling for "urgent and integrated conservation and law enforcement measures" to prevent the embattled birds from going extinct.
“This is a great victory for the helmeted hornbill that has been ruthlessly hunted for its red ivory as the elephant has been killed off for its ivory,” Noviar Andayani, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program, hailed the resolution. “Many have heard about the elephant ivory crisis and now it is time to hear more about the helmeted hornbill ivory crisis and take swift action to save it.”
Actions will speak louder than words, however, and what we will need is concerted and decisive actions against poachers and traffickers. Time is running out for the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil), which is listed in CITES Appendix I and on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "critically endangered." The unrelenting demand for their casques, which have been dubbed “red ivory,” has led to rampant poaching of the birds. Recently a team of researchers has warned in a study, “Trade in the Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil: the ‘ivory hornbill’,” that the birds are facing the imminent prospect of extinction in the wild.
“Between March 2012 and August 2014,” they wrote, “a minimum 2,170 heads and/or casques were seized from the illegal trade in Indonesia and China in identifiable enforcement actions. Seizures were made from poachers, smugglers, processing facilities and retailers (both physical shops and online traders).” At this rate, the birds will go extinct in the wild within a few years. “Efforts are therefore urgently needed to end this illegal trade, which is controlled by organised crime [syndicates] with interests in other wildlife products,” the researchers added.
Anecdotal evidence from locals in Malaysia has borne out such heartrending findings. Even as recently as the 1990s, the birds proliferated in the forest complex of Belum Temengor in Peninsular Malaysia, according to the headman of a local orang asli village. These days, he adds, they are nowhere to be found. The birds are threatened both by habitat loss and rampant poaching there and in nearby Borneo too. In August, Malaysian wildlife officials seized 200 wildlife parts, which included a helmeted hornbill casque and more than 45 hornbill beak tips. “A seizure like this has never before been made here and suggests that our Helmeted Hornbill species might also be targeted,” Kanitha Krishnasamy, senior programme manager of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia said.
“This is a great victory for the helmeted hornbill that has been ruthlessly hunted for its red ivory as the elephant has been killed off for its ivory,” Noviar Andayani, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program, hailed the resolution. “Many have heard about the elephant ivory crisis and now it is time to hear more about the helmeted hornbill ivory crisis and take swift action to save it.”
Actions will speak louder than words, however, and what we will need is concerted and decisive actions against poachers and traffickers. Time is running out for the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil), which is listed in CITES Appendix I and on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "critically endangered." The unrelenting demand for their casques, which have been dubbed “red ivory,” has led to rampant poaching of the birds. Recently a team of researchers has warned in a study, “Trade in the Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil: the ‘ivory hornbill’,” that the birds are facing the imminent prospect of extinction in the wild.
“Between March 2012 and August 2014,” they wrote, “a minimum 2,170 heads and/or casques were seized from the illegal trade in Indonesia and China in identifiable enforcement actions. Seizures were made from poachers, smugglers, processing facilities and retailers (both physical shops and online traders).” At this rate, the birds will go extinct in the wild within a few years. “Efforts are therefore urgently needed to end this illegal trade, which is controlled by organised crime [syndicates] with interests in other wildlife products,” the researchers added.
Anecdotal evidence from locals in Malaysia has borne out such heartrending findings. Even as recently as the 1990s, the birds proliferated in the forest complex of Belum Temengor in Peninsular Malaysia, according to the headman of a local orang asli village. These days, he adds, they are nowhere to be found. The birds are threatened both by habitat loss and rampant poaching there and in nearby Borneo too. In August, Malaysian wildlife officials seized 200 wildlife parts, which included a helmeted hornbill casque and more than 45 hornbill beak tips. “A seizure like this has never before been made here and suggests that our Helmeted Hornbill species might also be targeted,” Kanitha Krishnasamy, senior programme manager of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia said.
Hilton Builds First Modular Hotel In Africa
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) (www.Hilton.com) has marked this year’s African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) with the announcement of new properties and extensions in three African countries. It continues the company’s commitment to expansion across the continent as it seeks to double its footprint from its existing 39 hotels to more than 80 hotels in the next 3-5 years.
Among the new hotels agreed is Africa’s first modular build hotel (http://APO.af/b50EhV), the 280 guest-room Hilton Garden Inn in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, a concept that Hilton first premiered in 2014 through a partnership with CIMC Modular Building Systems. Other deals see the creation of Africa’s tallest hotel in Nairobi, while Hilton builds on its industry leading airport hotel legacy with an extension to the recently signed Legend Curio at Lagos Airport. Hilton will manage all three properties as it continues to expand its managed hotel portfolio.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president development, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide said, “Having been present in Africa for more than 50 years we’re proud to have remained at the forefront of pioneering hotel growth on the continent. This year at AHIF we’re breaking new ground in the region with the announcement of our first modular build hotel, a fast-paced construction solution that we feel has huge potential in Africa, with quicker returns for investors and a world-class hospitality experience for guests.
“We remain hugely committed to Africa across our portfolio of world-class brands, continuing to introduce our hotels to new markets across the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years.”
Modular construction is an innovative solution that can be used to drive hotel development, offering numerous benefits including faster development, streamlined design and cost efficiencies. The process involves assembling portions of the hotel - including guest rooms and hallways - in China, before transporting them to the final site for completion, thereby significantly reducing the time taken for construction. The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a particular benefit for developers and investors in emerging markets.
Hilton Garden Inn Accra Liberation Road is being developed under a management agreement with Independence Properties Ltd, whose majority shareholder is Trasacco Estates Development Company Ltd. With a planned opening in 2018, this will be the first Hilton Garden Inn in Ghana.
Ian Morris Director Independence Properties and CEO Trasacco Estates Development Company said: "After building a number of three star plus properties in West Africa the option to go modular and improve on room quality, project delivery and minimise construction risk was warmly embraced by our development, design and construction teams and we feel is the future of the industry."
Paul Blackmore, Managing Director CIMC MBS, said: “We are very proud of the continued association between Hilton and CIMC, with Hilton Garden Inn being an excellent brand for utilising our modular technology. In Independence Properties we have another great partner focussed on a high-quality product. Africa is a key strategic focus for CIMC, where our solutions can minimise risk on site while protecting and improving owner returns.”
Located on Liberation Road, the main connection between Ghana’s capital and its major international airport, the hotel will feature three restaurants and amenities offered at each Hilton Garden Inn location, including complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business and fitness centers, alongside four adjustable meeting rooms and a 450sqm ballroom.
Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill, Kenya (255 guest rooms)
A management agreement with Jabavu Village Ltd and White Lotus Projects sees Hilton expand on its existing presence in Kenya to create Africa’s tallest building. Standing 330m high, Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill is due to open in 2020, as a 255 guest-room and suite hotel in Kenya’s capital. It will offer multiple food and beverage outlets, including a relaxing poolside bar, speciality smokehouse and grill restaurant, lobby dining area with landscaped deck and a boutique rooftop bar with unbeatable vista views of the Nairobi skyline on the 43rd level.
Finally, having previously announced the signing of Curio, The Legend, Lagos Airport, Hilton has also confirmed that an additional 76 guest rooms will be added to the hotel bringing the room count up to 130-keys and further strengthening its expansion in the country. The hotel, due to open during 2017 will be the first within the airport environment giving guests and airline passengers alike unrivalled ease of access to the airports’ facilities.
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,700 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with over 775,000 rooms in 104 countries and territories. For 97 years, Hilton has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where Hilton HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key.
Among the new hotels agreed is Africa’s first modular build hotel (http://APO.af/b50EhV), the 280 guest-room Hilton Garden Inn in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, a concept that Hilton first premiered in 2014 through a partnership with CIMC Modular Building Systems. Other deals see the creation of Africa’s tallest hotel in Nairobi, while Hilton builds on its industry leading airport hotel legacy with an extension to the recently signed Legend Curio at Lagos Airport. Hilton will manage all three properties as it continues to expand its managed hotel portfolio.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president development, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide said, “Having been present in Africa for more than 50 years we’re proud to have remained at the forefront of pioneering hotel growth on the continent. This year at AHIF we’re breaking new ground in the region with the announcement of our first modular build hotel, a fast-paced construction solution that we feel has huge potential in Africa, with quicker returns for investors and a world-class hospitality experience for guests.
“We remain hugely committed to Africa across our portfolio of world-class brands, continuing to introduce our hotels to new markets across the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years.”
Modular construction is an innovative solution that can be used to drive hotel development, offering numerous benefits including faster development, streamlined design and cost efficiencies. The process involves assembling portions of the hotel - including guest rooms and hallways - in China, before transporting them to the final site for completion, thereby significantly reducing the time taken for construction. The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a particular benefit for developers and investors in emerging markets.
Hilton Garden Inn Accra Liberation Road is being developed under a management agreement with Independence Properties Ltd, whose majority shareholder is Trasacco Estates Development Company Ltd. With a planned opening in 2018, this will be the first Hilton Garden Inn in Ghana.
Ian Morris Director Independence Properties and CEO Trasacco Estates Development Company said: "After building a number of three star plus properties in West Africa the option to go modular and improve on room quality, project delivery and minimise construction risk was warmly embraced by our development, design and construction teams and we feel is the future of the industry."
Paul Blackmore, Managing Director CIMC MBS, said: “We are very proud of the continued association between Hilton and CIMC, with Hilton Garden Inn being an excellent brand for utilising our modular technology. In Independence Properties we have another great partner focussed on a high-quality product. Africa is a key strategic focus for CIMC, where our solutions can minimise risk on site while protecting and improving owner returns.”
Located on Liberation Road, the main connection between Ghana’s capital and its major international airport, the hotel will feature three restaurants and amenities offered at each Hilton Garden Inn location, including complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business and fitness centers, alongside four adjustable meeting rooms and a 450sqm ballroom.
Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill, Kenya (255 guest rooms)
A management agreement with Jabavu Village Ltd and White Lotus Projects sees Hilton expand on its existing presence in Kenya to create Africa’s tallest building. Standing 330m high, Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill is due to open in 2020, as a 255 guest-room and suite hotel in Kenya’s capital. It will offer multiple food and beverage outlets, including a relaxing poolside bar, speciality smokehouse and grill restaurant, lobby dining area with landscaped deck and a boutique rooftop bar with unbeatable vista views of the Nairobi skyline on the 43rd level.
Finally, having previously announced the signing of Curio, The Legend, Lagos Airport, Hilton has also confirmed that an additional 76 guest rooms will be added to the hotel bringing the room count up to 130-keys and further strengthening its expansion in the country. The hotel, due to open during 2017 will be the first within the airport environment giving guests and airline passengers alike unrivalled ease of access to the airports’ facilities.
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,700 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with over 775,000 rooms in 104 countries and territories. For 97 years, Hilton has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where Hilton HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key.
British Airways To Charge For Onboard Snacks
Announced on Thursday in the British Airways media center, British Airways plans to partner with Marks and Spencer, the British department store, to offer a spectrum of snacks to deliver the “best food in the sky,” charging a fee for anything consumable from a beef sandwich to water.
All passengers in short haul economy will be subject to the fees, even members of BA’s loyalty program, Executive Club. In premium cabins, prepared food will continue to be free, while long haul flights won’t be affected by the new campaign.
The approach echoes a similar model used by ultra low cost carriers like Ryanair Easyjet, and Spirit Airlines, which charge for everything from seat assignments to inflight catering — though in its release, British Airways is quick to point out the quality of its selections and the relative price.
Indeed, managing travelers’ expectations may be the biggest challenge in incorporating the new fees for snacks. British Airways has worked hard over the last decade to build the image of a premium carrier, investing heavily in its business and first class cabins and building out a beautiful terminal in London Heathrow. The experience of taking a premium long haul flight across the ocean and then getting free food and drinks in an airport lounge may not perfectly mesh with paying $3 for water on a British Airways’ short-haul flight.
Even so, British needed to come up with a way to compete with the likes of Ryanair and Easyjet, which have the benefit of lower operating costs and higher degrees of ancillary revenue. If customers don’t like the fees, they may have to plan ahead.
Service with the new meal structures begins in January 2017 out of London’s Heathrow and Gatwick, while Standsted and the City airport have to wait until the summer.
Cautious Optimism for Investors in Sub-Saharan Africa Hotel Sector
Investor sentiment for hotels in Sub-Saharan Africa remains positive despite economic headwinds in key markets, according to the latest JLL research (http://APO.af/4zhrDO) into the sector. The long-term outlook continues to be strong and is driven by positive economic, demographic and tourism trends, with all indicators pointing to continued hotel demand growth as the region’s economy and hotel sector continue to mature.
Speaking at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Xander Nijnens, Senior Vice-President, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL Sub-Saharan Africa (www.JLL.com), said: “Our medium-term outlook for the hotel sector is positive and JLL forecasts demand growth of 3% to 5% per annum during the coming three years. From an investment perspective, we forecast USD1.7 billion to be invested in hotels in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 and a further USD1.9 billion in 2018. The new supply pipeline continues to grow with greater efficiency in realising new developments as the sector matures”.
Nijnens added, “The hotel sector is not, however, without its challenges and we are seeing an increasing divergence of the performance and outlook for key markets. The region offers a broad range of challenges and opportunities, as well as risk and reward. From the perspective of global capital searching for investment opportunities, the region can be a challenging one to navigate. Investors and lenders alike are recognising this and, while regional players continue to leverage their first mover advantage to entrench their presence in the sector, global capital will increasingly flow into the region as markets mature and transparency increases.”
Hotel developers and operators are increasingly understanding how to tap into this demand and are offering a broader hospitality offering best suited for each market and client base. This demand growth, paired with more effective matching of supply to demand, sets a good foundation for investment. Nijnens noted that, “Long-term investment fundamentals for the region remain positive despite the short-term challenges that have impacted the hotel sector in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past two years. Macro-economic development and government policy towards tourism, investment and economic growth remain critical in a corporate demand-led sector.”
The main barrier to entry in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the research, is finding projects that meet the minimum return threshold. The capital is available, but investors are seeking the right leveraging to achieve their equity returns. Lack of foreign currency ranked higher this year as investors struggle to deal with various currency factors. Improvements in political, economic and currency stability will see a reduction in the risk premium placed on hotel investment in the region, which will in turn increase capital flows. Development costs should reduce in the medium-term as development professionals, owners and lenders gain experience in the region. As the pipeline of new projects is more effectively implemented, liquidity will increase and exit options will improve.
Lenders in the region are more cautious towards the hotel sector than their clients, particularly with regard to underwriting operational cash flows in what is seen as an emerging sector. Nijnens concludes, “For the foreseeable future, we can expect commercial bank lending to be determined on the basis of recourse to the sponsor, while the development banks will play a critical role in pioneering new frontiers. As institutional investment increases, lending is expected to become more readily available at improved terms, which will in turn provide better leverage returns on equity.”
Investors who carefully consider the supply and demand variables of the markets in which they develop and transact are well placed to generate high risk adjusted returns. Those who are able to establish platforms with scale should be increasingly well placed to attract external capital or become an acquisition prospect for larger global players.
The diverse set of fundamentals in each market is becoming integral to the way in which investors and lenders approach the sector, with a region-wide approach becoming increasingly challenging. The research promotes the view that investors should embrace the diversity that these markets bring, but most importantly understand the variety and nuances of these markets.
The report, Spotlight on Africa: a diverse frontier (http://APO.af/4zhrDO), will be launched at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from 4 to 6 October 2016.
Following JLL’s inaugural report in 2015 focused on setting the scene and reflecting on the evolution of the sector to this point, the 2016 report takes a deeper look at key areas affecting the sector.
The study reflects the results of JLL’s survey with key investors and lenders who are actively targeting hospitality real estate in Africa. The perspective of both lenders and investors alike looks to bridge the views of these two players and present a more holistic view of the sector.
The full report is available for download on the JLL Africa website (http://APO.af/4zhrDO)
Speaking at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Xander Nijnens, Senior Vice-President, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL Sub-Saharan Africa (www.JLL.com), said: “Our medium-term outlook for the hotel sector is positive and JLL forecasts demand growth of 3% to 5% per annum during the coming three years. From an investment perspective, we forecast USD1.7 billion to be invested in hotels in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 and a further USD1.9 billion in 2018. The new supply pipeline continues to grow with greater efficiency in realising new developments as the sector matures”.
Nijnens added, “The hotel sector is not, however, without its challenges and we are seeing an increasing divergence of the performance and outlook for key markets. The region offers a broad range of challenges and opportunities, as well as risk and reward. From the perspective of global capital searching for investment opportunities, the region can be a challenging one to navigate. Investors and lenders alike are recognising this and, while regional players continue to leverage their first mover advantage to entrench their presence in the sector, global capital will increasingly flow into the region as markets mature and transparency increases.”
Hotel developers and operators are increasingly understanding how to tap into this demand and are offering a broader hospitality offering best suited for each market and client base. This demand growth, paired with more effective matching of supply to demand, sets a good foundation for investment. Nijnens noted that, “Long-term investment fundamentals for the region remain positive despite the short-term challenges that have impacted the hotel sector in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past two years. Macro-economic development and government policy towards tourism, investment and economic growth remain critical in a corporate demand-led sector.”
The main barrier to entry in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the research, is finding projects that meet the minimum return threshold. The capital is available, but investors are seeking the right leveraging to achieve their equity returns. Lack of foreign currency ranked higher this year as investors struggle to deal with various currency factors. Improvements in political, economic and currency stability will see a reduction in the risk premium placed on hotel investment in the region, which will in turn increase capital flows. Development costs should reduce in the medium-term as development professionals, owners and lenders gain experience in the region. As the pipeline of new projects is more effectively implemented, liquidity will increase and exit options will improve.
Lenders in the region are more cautious towards the hotel sector than their clients, particularly with regard to underwriting operational cash flows in what is seen as an emerging sector. Nijnens concludes, “For the foreseeable future, we can expect commercial bank lending to be determined on the basis of recourse to the sponsor, while the development banks will play a critical role in pioneering new frontiers. As institutional investment increases, lending is expected to become more readily available at improved terms, which will in turn provide better leverage returns on equity.”
Investors who carefully consider the supply and demand variables of the markets in which they develop and transact are well placed to generate high risk adjusted returns. Those who are able to establish platforms with scale should be increasingly well placed to attract external capital or become an acquisition prospect for larger global players.
The diverse set of fundamentals in each market is becoming integral to the way in which investors and lenders approach the sector, with a region-wide approach becoming increasingly challenging. The research promotes the view that investors should embrace the diversity that these markets bring, but most importantly understand the variety and nuances of these markets.
The report, Spotlight on Africa: a diverse frontier (http://APO.af/4zhrDO), will be launched at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from 4 to 6 October 2016.
Following JLL’s inaugural report in 2015 focused on setting the scene and reflecting on the evolution of the sector to this point, the 2016 report takes a deeper look at key areas affecting the sector.
The study reflects the results of JLL’s survey with key investors and lenders who are actively targeting hospitality real estate in Africa. The perspective of both lenders and investors alike looks to bridge the views of these two players and present a more holistic view of the sector.
The full report is available for download on the JLL Africa website (http://APO.af/4zhrDO)
Swahili Fashion Week
Who will win this years Washington Benbella Emerging designers Competition? The Finalist Have been ANNOUNCED. See you at the 9th Swahili Fashion Week & Awards from 2nd to 4th December 2016 in Dar es Salaam. WILL YOU ATTEND?
Monday, 3 October 2016
Tourism To Paris Down After Attacks, Strikes, Floods
Fewer foreign tourists are visiting the Paris region after deadly attacks last year and a season of strikes, violent labour action and exceptional floods.
The regional tourism office reported figures for the first half of 2016 this week showing that the drop was especially high among Japanese, Russian and Chinese visitors.
Spending on hotels fell particularly sharply, but was partially compensated by a rise in the number of people staying in private apartment offerings.
Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has called a meeting for early September to find ways to revive tourism, which represents about 7 per cent of the French economy.
Other French regions have not been as hard hit as Paris, though French Riviera tourism was shaken by a truck attack in Nice last month that killed 86.
The regional tourism office reported figures for the first half of 2016 this week showing that the drop was especially high among Japanese, Russian and Chinese visitors.
Spending on hotels fell particularly sharply, but was partially compensated by a rise in the number of people staying in private apartment offerings.
Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has called a meeting for early September to find ways to revive tourism, which represents about 7 per cent of the French economy.
Other French regions have not been as hard hit as Paris, though French Riviera tourism was shaken by a truck attack in Nice last month that killed 86.
JAPAN: Japan Designates 88 Animation Travel Spots
Eighty-eight places in Japan are going to be designated "animation spots" to encourage tourism using train stations, school campuses, rural shrines and other fairly everyday places where popular "manga" characters are depicted.
Such landmarks number in the tens of thousands, given the popularity and volume of "manga" comics In Japan. But this is being billed as the official list for any fan's animation "pilgrimage," as the places are known as "seichi," or "sacred spots."
People around the world can vote on the landmarks through a website set up in several languages, including English and Chinese.
"Japanese pop culture has grown to rival American Hollywood," Tsugihiko Kadokawa, chairman of Kadokawa Corp. publisher and film studio, one of the officials behind the effort, said Friday at a Tokyo news conference. "Animation can change the times."
The project highlights Japan's recent push to make tourism a valuable boon for a stagnant economy, as dynamic as the export of the long-hailed Toyota cars and Sony video-game machines.
Tourists from abroad have grown, under a "Cool Japan" initiative, reaching 20 million people last year -- five years ahead of a goal set by the government, prompting officials to raise its 2020 target to 40 million tourists.
Kadokawa and other officials behind the newly formed Japan Anime Tourism Association said they would compile a travel route of 88 animation spots by December, including where manga and animation works took place, as well as the homes of manga artists and museums dedicated to their works.
Votes from fans will be taken into consideration in compiling the list. "Vote for the special spot you want to share with everyone," the site says.
One shoo-in for the list, according to organizers, is Washinomiya Jinja, a picturesque shrine in Saitama prefecture on the outskirts of Tokyo, a familiar scene in comics by Kagami Yoshimizu, which later became a TV animation series, "Lucky Star" or "Raki Suta."
The shrine is not as grand or famous as others in the country, such as Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo, but it's still the one to visit for those who love the manga series, which depicts friendship among schoolgirls, all illustrated with the huge eyes and colorful hair characteristic of manga.
The shrine shows up in the opening sequence to the TV show, whose typical episode will feature a heated discussion in cute, cooing voices on the correct way to eat a pastry.
Other possible spots include the "Gundam" giant robot statue on Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, and the Ghibli Studio of Hayao Miyazaki, the Oscar-winning animator who made "Spirited Away."
Louis Lee, an editor from Hong Kong, who was at the Tokyo launch of the Japan Anime Tourism Association, said he was an avid manga fan, especially of "Slam Dunk," a story about a high school basketball team.
"It teaches you not to give up until the end," he said.
Manga fans like Lee say manga has proven useful for studying the Japanese language and culture. They say animation spots should have manga character costumes that visitors can wear in photos, as well as manga-related products for sale.
The government's Japan Tourism Agency has recently begun to study not only the numbers of tourists coming to Japan, but what was the emotional driver behind their visits. The agency's survey of French and Thai people found that, although the two groups varied on what they hoped to do Japan, they both said they became interested in Japan through movies and other entertainment content.
"But we are still not taking full advantage of such resources," said agency Commissioner Akihiko Tamura. "A lot of work still needs to be done."
Such landmarks number in the tens of thousands, given the popularity and volume of "manga" comics In Japan. But this is being billed as the official list for any fan's animation "pilgrimage," as the places are known as "seichi," or "sacred spots."
People around the world can vote on the landmarks through a website set up in several languages, including English and Chinese.
"Japanese pop culture has grown to rival American Hollywood," Tsugihiko Kadokawa, chairman of Kadokawa Corp. publisher and film studio, one of the officials behind the effort, said Friday at a Tokyo news conference. "Animation can change the times."
The project highlights Japan's recent push to make tourism a valuable boon for a stagnant economy, as dynamic as the export of the long-hailed Toyota cars and Sony video-game machines.
Tourists from abroad have grown, under a "Cool Japan" initiative, reaching 20 million people last year -- five years ahead of a goal set by the government, prompting officials to raise its 2020 target to 40 million tourists.
Kadokawa and other officials behind the newly formed Japan Anime Tourism Association said they would compile a travel route of 88 animation spots by December, including where manga and animation works took place, as well as the homes of manga artists and museums dedicated to their works.
Votes from fans will be taken into consideration in compiling the list. "Vote for the special spot you want to share with everyone," the site says.
One shoo-in for the list, according to organizers, is Washinomiya Jinja, a picturesque shrine in Saitama prefecture on the outskirts of Tokyo, a familiar scene in comics by Kagami Yoshimizu, which later became a TV animation series, "Lucky Star" or "Raki Suta."
The shrine is not as grand or famous as others in the country, such as Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo, but it's still the one to visit for those who love the manga series, which depicts friendship among schoolgirls, all illustrated with the huge eyes and colorful hair characteristic of manga.
The shrine shows up in the opening sequence to the TV show, whose typical episode will feature a heated discussion in cute, cooing voices on the correct way to eat a pastry.
Other possible spots include the "Gundam" giant robot statue on Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, and the Ghibli Studio of Hayao Miyazaki, the Oscar-winning animator who made "Spirited Away."
Louis Lee, an editor from Hong Kong, who was at the Tokyo launch of the Japan Anime Tourism Association, said he was an avid manga fan, especially of "Slam Dunk," a story about a high school basketball team.
"It teaches you not to give up until the end," he said.
Manga fans like Lee say manga has proven useful for studying the Japanese language and culture. They say animation spots should have manga character costumes that visitors can wear in photos, as well as manga-related products for sale.
The government's Japan Tourism Agency has recently begun to study not only the numbers of tourists coming to Japan, but what was the emotional driver behind their visits. The agency's survey of French and Thai people found that, although the two groups varied on what they hoped to do Japan, they both said they became interested in Japan through movies and other entertainment content.
"But we are still not taking full advantage of such resources," said agency Commissioner Akihiko Tamura. "A lot of work still needs to be done."
CHINA: China Promotes Tibetan tourism
China has unveiled a sparkling new hotel as part of its drive to get tens of millions more tourists to visit Tibet, even as critics say the push is slowly eroding the local culture.
With a presidential suite that costs $1,000 a night and views over the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, the luxury Artel hotel is a potent symbol of Chinese plans for the autonomous territory.
Tourism officials are hoping to see visitor numbers increase by nearly 50 per cent in the next four years, said Wang Songping, deputy director of the Tibet Tourism Development Commission.
"Tibet attracted four million Chinese tourists in 2005. We hope we'll get 24 million this year and 35 million by 2020," he said.
Critics say the influx will lead to more of China's dominant Han ethnic group settling in Tibet and eroding native Tibetan ways of life, and argue the majority of economic benefits of mass tourism will not go to locals.
Official figures say that Tibetans currently make up 90 per cent of the local population, but groups opposed to Chinese rule say the real figure is significantly lower.
Beijing says it "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951 and insists it has brought development to a previously backward region where serfs were exploited.
But many Tibetans accuse Beijing of repressing their religion, diluting their culture and exploiting natural resources to benefit the Han at the expense of locals and the environment.
The 103-room Artel opened in mid-August in Lulang, a picturesque village situated at 3,700 metres (12,100 feet) in a southeastern forested area in the autonomous region of Tibet.
It is part of a tourist complex built in an old part of town previously occupied mostly by government buildings and restaurants, that now boasts its own shopping street, a lake and an arts centre.
Nicknamed the "Switzerland of the East", the village is seen by authorities as a flagship project for its ambitious plans for Tibet's tourist sector.
Transport links are being developed to cater for the influx, including a motorway opening next year, and a high-speed rail line from the capital Lhasa, expected to open in 2021.
Another high-speed rail line to Chengdu, capital of neighbouring Sichuan province, home to more than 80 million people, should be completed in 2022.
Wang said the number of Chinese tourists, who currently make up 95 percent of visitors to Tibet, has increased by an average of 20 per cent each year since the 2006 opening of the first railway linking Tibet to the rest of China.
But while outside visitors can boost the local economy, mass tourism has down sides, said Tibet expert Francoise Robin.
"Cultural performances shown to visitors are either favourable reinterpretations of Chinese history or Chinese versions of songs or dances," she said.
"Tibetans themselves end up picking up these distorted versions."
And while some Tibetans were developing responsible tourism initiatives and eco-tourism, such businesses could often not be developed on a large scale, she said.
The influx of tourists is expected to bring in billions of dollars but many are concerned that not everyone will benefit from the windfall.
"Travel agents and other people who work in the tourism industry are mostly Han Chinese", said Robin. "The Tibetans are among the last in line to benefit."
At the Artel hotel, Baima Cicuo, a 17-year-old local trainee who works as a housekeeper, said she was happy in her job at least in front of her boss.
"Before, I depended on my farmer parents. But now I earn 1,000 yuan a month and I learn a lot of things," she said in fluent Mandarin.
The hotel, owned by Poly, a Chinese state-owned group, has invested 280 million yuan ($42 million) in the project, says commercial director Ray Peng.
It currently has 40 employees, 15 of whom are Tibetan.
Its guests are likely to be overwhelmingly Chinese. Less than five percent of visitors to Tibet are foreign tourists, who need to obtain an "entry letter" as well as a Chinese visa when travelling to the region, where they must join an authorised tour group.
Despite the widespread perception that the restrictions are meant to stop the outside world from learning too much about the tensions between ethnic Tibetans and Han, officials insist that is not the case.
"These restrictions are in place because we can't yet provide world class services for tourists", said Bianba Zhaxi, deputy governor of Tibet.
"We will be open to tourists from across the world in a few years," he added.
But Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, deputy speaker of Tibet's parliament in exile, said the restrictions serve to hide the truth about Tibet from the outside world.
"If foreign tourists and media are able to travel freely in Tibet, without organised tours, and can collect the views of people, then I think tourism can have a good impact.
"Otherwise, nobody will speak and share the problems of the Tibetan people."
With a presidential suite that costs $1,000 a night and views over the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, the luxury Artel hotel is a potent symbol of Chinese plans for the autonomous territory.
Tourism officials are hoping to see visitor numbers increase by nearly 50 per cent in the next four years, said Wang Songping, deputy director of the Tibet Tourism Development Commission.
"Tibet attracted four million Chinese tourists in 2005. We hope we'll get 24 million this year and 35 million by 2020," he said.
Critics say the influx will lead to more of China's dominant Han ethnic group settling in Tibet and eroding native Tibetan ways of life, and argue the majority of economic benefits of mass tourism will not go to locals.
Official figures say that Tibetans currently make up 90 per cent of the local population, but groups opposed to Chinese rule say the real figure is significantly lower.
Beijing says it "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951 and insists it has brought development to a previously backward region where serfs were exploited.
But many Tibetans accuse Beijing of repressing their religion, diluting their culture and exploiting natural resources to benefit the Han at the expense of locals and the environment.
The 103-room Artel opened in mid-August in Lulang, a picturesque village situated at 3,700 metres (12,100 feet) in a southeastern forested area in the autonomous region of Tibet.
It is part of a tourist complex built in an old part of town previously occupied mostly by government buildings and restaurants, that now boasts its own shopping street, a lake and an arts centre.
Nicknamed the "Switzerland of the East", the village is seen by authorities as a flagship project for its ambitious plans for Tibet's tourist sector.
Transport links are being developed to cater for the influx, including a motorway opening next year, and a high-speed rail line from the capital Lhasa, expected to open in 2021.
Another high-speed rail line to Chengdu, capital of neighbouring Sichuan province, home to more than 80 million people, should be completed in 2022.
Wang said the number of Chinese tourists, who currently make up 95 percent of visitors to Tibet, has increased by an average of 20 per cent each year since the 2006 opening of the first railway linking Tibet to the rest of China.
But while outside visitors can boost the local economy, mass tourism has down sides, said Tibet expert Francoise Robin.
"Cultural performances shown to visitors are either favourable reinterpretations of Chinese history or Chinese versions of songs or dances," she said.
"Tibetans themselves end up picking up these distorted versions."
And while some Tibetans were developing responsible tourism initiatives and eco-tourism, such businesses could often not be developed on a large scale, she said.
The influx of tourists is expected to bring in billions of dollars but many are concerned that not everyone will benefit from the windfall.
"Travel agents and other people who work in the tourism industry are mostly Han Chinese", said Robin. "The Tibetans are among the last in line to benefit."
At the Artel hotel, Baima Cicuo, a 17-year-old local trainee who works as a housekeeper, said she was happy in her job at least in front of her boss.
"Before, I depended on my farmer parents. But now I earn 1,000 yuan a month and I learn a lot of things," she said in fluent Mandarin.
The hotel, owned by Poly, a Chinese state-owned group, has invested 280 million yuan ($42 million) in the project, says commercial director Ray Peng.
It currently has 40 employees, 15 of whom are Tibetan.
Its guests are likely to be overwhelmingly Chinese. Less than five percent of visitors to Tibet are foreign tourists, who need to obtain an "entry letter" as well as a Chinese visa when travelling to the region, where they must join an authorised tour group.
Despite the widespread perception that the restrictions are meant to stop the outside world from learning too much about the tensions between ethnic Tibetans and Han, officials insist that is not the case.
"These restrictions are in place because we can't yet provide world class services for tourists", said Bianba Zhaxi, deputy governor of Tibet.
"We will be open to tourists from across the world in a few years," he added.
But Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, deputy speaker of Tibet's parliament in exile, said the restrictions serve to hide the truth about Tibet from the outside world.
"If foreign tourists and media are able to travel freely in Tibet, without organised tours, and can collect the views of people, then I think tourism can have a good impact.
"Otherwise, nobody will speak and share the problems of the Tibetan people."
CYPRUS: August, Best Tourist Arrivals
"August 2016 had the highest volume of tourist arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the specific month," the finance ministry said.
In a clear indication that the economy is on an upward curve, August marked a 16.9-per cent hike in tourist arrivals compared to the same month in 2015.
Only July saw more tourists for a single month with a record 482,000 arrivals.
Tourists from Britain the island's top holiday market increased 9.9 per cent in August to 172,236, while the second largest market Russia jumped 36.8 per cent to 122,843.
There was also a 61 per cent increase in holidaymakers from Israel, with 27,048 arrivals.
For the first six months until June, revenue from tourism increased 13.7 per cent to 831.2 million euros ($928 million),up from 730.9 million in the same period of 2015.
With the island seen as a "safe" destination in a region of turmoil and terror threats, state-run Cyprus Tourism organisation projects a bumper tourist season that could surpass the three-million barrier this year.
Cyprus exited a harsh bailout programme in March garnering praise from international lenders for its impressive turnaround.
Tourism revenues account for around 12 per cent of the EU state's GDP and are credited for ensuring that Nicosia made a relatively quick recovery.
Following a 10-billion-euro rescue package to save a crumbling economy and insolvent banks in March 2013, Cyprus has returned to growth.
International Tourism Shoots Up In 2016
International tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 4 per cent between January and June 2016 compared to the same period last year, proving tourism to be "one of the most resilient economic sectors worldwide."
The figures, from latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, detailed that destinations worldwide received 561 million international tourists (overnight visitors), 21 million more than in the same period in 2015.
While some destinations -- such as Asia and the Pacific -- showed renewed strength during first half of 2016, receiving 9 per cent more international arrivals and the highest growth across world regions, others, including Europe (+3 per cent), showed mixed results.
In the Americas, international arrivals increased by 4 per cent, led by Central America and South America, while in Africa (+5 per cent), Sub-Saharan destinations rebounded strongly. North Africa, however, continued to report weak results.
Limited data for the Middle East suggested an estimated decrease of 9 per cent in international arrivals during the six-month period, though results varied from destination to destination.
Commenting on the data, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said, "tourism has proven to be one of the most resilient economic sectors worldwide," but there's more work to be done.
"Safety and security are key pillars of tourism development and we need to strengthen our common action to build a safe, secure and seamless travel framework. This is no time to build walls or point fingers; it is time to build an alliance based on a shared vision and a joint responsibility."
The figures, from latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, detailed that destinations worldwide received 561 million international tourists (overnight visitors), 21 million more than in the same period in 2015.
While some destinations -- such as Asia and the Pacific -- showed renewed strength during first half of 2016, receiving 9 per cent more international arrivals and the highest growth across world regions, others, including Europe (+3 per cent), showed mixed results.
In the Americas, international arrivals increased by 4 per cent, led by Central America and South America, while in Africa (+5 per cent), Sub-Saharan destinations rebounded strongly. North Africa, however, continued to report weak results.
Limited data for the Middle East suggested an estimated decrease of 9 per cent in international arrivals during the six-month period, though results varied from destination to destination.
Commenting on the data, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said, "tourism has proven to be one of the most resilient economic sectors worldwide," but there's more work to be done.
"Safety and security are key pillars of tourism development and we need to strengthen our common action to build a safe, secure and seamless travel framework. This is no time to build walls or point fingers; it is time to build an alliance based on a shared vision and a joint responsibility."
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